Toward Net Negative Emissions: Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Solutions

Climate change is revealing its devastating impacts and continues to intensify, manifesting in extreme weather patterns worldwide, including unprecedented heat, heavy rainfall and prolonged droughts.In 2024, Death Valley, USA, recorded its hottest month ever, with average temperatures soaring to 42.5 C, (reportedly 54 o C on July 7, 2024 the hottest day) underscoring the alarming trend of rising global temperatures.Similarly, California faced its driest year in decades, with rainfall levels plummeting to less than 50% of the average, exacerbating water scarcity and wildfires.Meanwhile, northern India witnessed catastrophic flooding due to heavy rainfall exceeding 150% of the seasonal average in some regions, causing extensive damage and loss of life.In many places in India, temperatures soared over 40-45 C. Conversely, eastern parts of India suffered a rainfall deficit of over 30%, resulting in drought-like conditions that severely impacted agriculture and food security.These extremes exemplify the multifaceted threats of climate changeaccelerated glacier melt, rising sea levels, disrupted ecosystems and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.Immediate global action is essential to curb greenhouse gas emissions, build resilient infrastructure and safeguard vulnerable communities from escalating climate risks.In this context, hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, is poised to become the planet's ultimate savior.The 2015 Paris Agreement underscored the urgency of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, with 195 nations committing to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels by the century's end.However, the World Economic Forum reveals that only 73% of nations have adopted net-zero targets.Global GHG emissions are disproportionately contributed by China (25%), the United States (12%), the European Union (7%) and other countries (29%).The CO 2 emissions due to fossil fuels reached 35.6 (202235.6 ( ), 36.8 (202335.6 ( ) and 37.4 Gt (2024)).The Global Carbon Budget team estimates that there is a 50% chance that global warming will exceed 1.5 C consistently in about six years.Pre-pandemic, in January 2020, atmospheric CO 2 levels stood at 410 ppm, and global refinery capacity was 97.4 million barrels per day (MMBPD).Despite lockdowns during COVID-19, CO 2 levels rose to 412 ppm by January 2021, reflecting ongoing emissions.Meanwhile, crude oil prices plunged to an unprecedented negative $10 per barrel on April 10, 2020, causing significant disruptions in the hydrocarbon sector.