European Parliament Rejects Commission Delegated Regulation on Low-Carbon Hydrogen

Strategic Insights -

The European Parliament has passed a resolution objecting to the Commission delegated regulation on low-carbon hydrogen, citing concerns over an unclear regulatory environment that hampers the Union's competitiveness. The proposed regulation aims to simplify the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions savings from low-carbon fuels but has been criticized for imposing restrictive and unworkable emission calculation rules. This could make low-carbon hydrogen production nearly impossible, threatening the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries and the EU's climate ambitions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament has passed a resolution objecting to the Commission delegated regulation on low-carbon hydrogen due to concerns over an unclear regulatory environment.
  • The proposed regulation is criticized for imposing restrictive and unworkable emission calculation rules that could make low-carbon hydrogen production nearly impossible.
  • The resolution highlights the need to scale up low-carbon hydrogen production in the EU to safeguard its competitiveness and regain its position on a global level.
  • The proposed delegated act is deemed discriminatory, preventing the production of low-carbon hydrogen, particularly in Member States without access to extensive renewable resources.
  • The European Parliament urges the Commission to submit a new delegated regulation by mid-2026, incorporating several recommendations to streamline and simplify the methodology for calculating the carbon footprint.

Statistics:

  • 2030: The Union's target for meeting renewable hydrogen targets, as stipulated in the ECA Special report 11/2024.
  • 2026: The proposed deadline for the Commission to submit a new delegated regulation.
  • 2041: The sunset clause for eligibility of CO2 stemming from industrial sources, set to be removed under the European Parliament's recommendations.
  • 10 February 2023: The date of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184, supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
  • European Parliament Resolution (2025/2809(DEA)): The reference ID for the European Parliament resolution on the Commission delegated regulation of 8 July 2025.

Sources:

  • European Parliament resolution on the Commission delegated regulation of 8 July 2025 (2025/2809(DEA))
  • Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Article 9(5) and 90(6))
  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 of 10 February 2023
  • Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023
  • European Court of Auditors' Special report 11/2024