Assessing the Environmental Impact of Global Hydrogen Supply through the Lens of Planetary Boundaries

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a crucial energy carrier for a low-carbon future. However, most studies on clean hydrogen production devote limited attention to the entire supply chain. This study evaluates the sustainability of 800 combinations of hydrogen production and transportation methods, comparing their environmental impacts against the geophysical limits defined by the Planetary Boundaries framework. Findings reveal that no supply chain alone can make the current economy sustainable, yet powering water electrolysis with bioenergy and carbon capture and storage can meet the CO2-based planetary boundaries. The analysis also underscores the need for decarbonization efforts in the hydrogen transportation sector, as certain options could offset the benefits of clean hydrogen production.