RIFS Potsdam 74d ago

Entry Points for More Effective Governance. Online Dissemination Event and Discussion 15 April 2026 Background Renewable and low-carbon hydrogen are critical for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, and their rapid scale-up is essential to address the climate crisis. In addition, hydrogen can contribute to energy independence, thereby supporting Europe’s resilience. This transition also offers significant opportunities for value creation, particularly in countries with abundant renewable energy resources. However, hydrogen production is also associated with environmental and social risks. To mobilize investment and secure the support of all relevant actors, it is essential to realize opportunities throughout the value chain, while effectively managing the associated risks. Objectives In this webinar, the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) presented tangible options for strengthening governance to ensure sustainability along the hydrogen value chain, while simultaneously contributing to the acceleration of the hydrogen ramp-up. The recommendations build on a comprehensive review of existing sustainability requirements in the hydrogen sector. They highlight opportunities for promoting a more coherent and effective governance framework to support a sustainable ramp-up of hydrogen to meet climate and resilience objectives. Agenda Welcome: Meik Clemens Laufer, Unit Hydrogen Diplomacy, Geopolitics of Energy Transition, German Federal Foreign Office Presentation of forthcoming RIFS Policy Brief “Strengthening Sustainability Governance for a Rapid Hydrogen Ramp-Up” by Max Rischer, RIFS. Discussion: Marion Malafosse, Policy Officer, Decarbonisation and Sustainability of Energy Sources, DG-ENER/European Commission Laurent Donceel, Director, Transport, Industrial Policy & Sustainability, Hydrogen Europe Frank Sibert, Senior Advisor, Sustainable Advisory & Business, BNP Paribas Marion Revest, Hydrogen Policy Officer, Transport & Environment Jan Klenke, Co-Head Research, H2Global Foundation Moderation: Rainer Quitzow, RIFS This event was organized in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation. The research conducted by RIFS Potsdam and this event were supported by the German Federal Foreign Office within the project ‘Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: Sustainability Governance in the Hydrogen Sector’ (GET Sustainable Hydrogen). Links to publications: Quitzow, R., & Rischer, M. (2026). Strengthening Sustainability Governance for a Rapid Hydrogen Ramp-Up. RIFS Policy Paper, 2026(1). https://doi.org/10.48481/rifs.2026.006 Rischer, M., Oestreich, J., & Quitzow, R. (2026). Governance for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy: A Review of the Current State of Play. RIFS Study, April 2026. https://doi.org/10.48481/rifs.2026.002