Green hydrogen as a catalyst for climate action

Climate change is not a ‘future problem.’ We’re witnessing changes now and they need to be addressed more urgently than ever.

February saw a record low in global sea ice. It was also the third-warmest February on record, with average global temperatures registering more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

As we witness rapid warming in the Arctic, we have no choice but to call for immediate collective action to develop innovative solutions to decarbonize our economies.

In this decisive moment, the emergence of green hydrogen as a viable clean energy source presents a unique opportunity for global climate action.

Green hydrogen is generated solely from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and when used as a fuel it only emits water vapor, emitting no greenhouse gases in its production or use.

According to the International Energy Agency, 60 governments have already adopted hydrogen strategies, signaling a global shift towards this technology. Saudi Arabia aims to become a top hydrogen supplier, reflecting its commitment to the Saudi Green Initiative.

The Kingdom is currently building the largest green hydrogen plant in the world, NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, contributing to the global fight against climate change.

NGHC is emerging as a significant contributor to job creation, technological innovation, and economic diversification in Saudi Arabia.

Wesam Alghamdi

It also reflects our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate applications and sectors like heavy trucks and steelmaking.

One advantage is Saudi Arabia’s plentiful wind and sunshine to power our plant, which will produce up to 600 tons of carbon-free hydrogen daily and save the planet up to 5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. These efforts align with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative to reduce emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030.

However, climate change is not just about energy transformation and visible environmental changes. In this critical moment, NGHC is emerging as a significant contributor to job creation, technological innovation, and economic diversification in Saudi Arabia.

This aligns with the World Economic Forum’s prediction that the global transition to sustainable energy and climate-change adaptation will be “net job creators.”

We have a clear roadmap to attract top talent, foster a new generation of Saudi professionals, and open opportunities for women and young people in this advanced industry, as part of our goal of creating highly skilled jobs with a legacy.

Climate change is an undeniable reality and tackling this issue cannot be constrained by borders or generations. We must address it together. Global partnerships in research, development, and policymaking to accelerate green hydrogen adoption are therefore more important than ever.

Despite the scale of these challenges, I am confident that by working together to achieve mutually beneficial climate goals, green hydrogen can serve as the catalyst that guides the world into a sustainable future, and NGHC will serve as a blueprint for others to follow.

• Wesam Alghamdi is CEO of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company.