Hydrogen on the horizon: overcoming barriers to a sustainable energy transition

Abstract Green hydrogen has emerged as a potential cornerstone of global decarbonization, offering a lower emission energy vector that is capable of decarbonizing hard‐to‐abate sectors and strengthening energy security. Produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, its large‐scale deployment remains constrained by technical, financial, and institutional barriers, particularly in emerging economies facing infrastructure deficits, fragmented policies, and unequal access to technology. This article examines the strategic role of green hydrogen within the global energy transition, emphasizing how geopolitical dynamics, developmental asymmetries, and sustainability imperatives shape its adoption. Through the analysis of international case studies and policy frameworks, with a focus on Latin America, the paper explores: (1) the global drivers of hydrogen development, (2) key implementation barriers, and (3) national strategies addressing these challenges. The study advocates context‐sensitive, systemic approaches that align technological deployment with principles of environmental justice and equitable development. Far from being a neutral technology, green hydrogen represents a strategic platform for reimagining energy futures, particularly for countries in the Global South, by linking energy sovereignty, industrial transformation, and climate‐aligned development.