Contact Information
Climate Change Projects Office,Climate Change Policy Division,Global Environment Bureau,Ministry of the Environment
Hydrogen fuel does not generate any CO2 when used, and fuel cells allow efficient extraction of electricity and heat. In addition, the use of renewable energy during the production of hydrogen fuel is expected to lead to total decarbonization from production to use. Hydrogen plays an important role in the creation of a decarbonized "hydrogen society," a society that uses hydrogen as a common energy source. Hydrogen has a big role to play in our society, and various hydrogen utilization projects are currently underway.
Hydrogen gas is the lightest gas on Earth and is made up of two hydrogen (H) atoms, expressed with the molecular formula H2. Hydrogen atoms form bonds with various elements and is found in a variety of chemical compounds, such as water and fossil fuels. This characteristic makes it possible to produce H2 from various resources. For example, hydrogen can be produced by methods such as electrolysis of water (H2O) to generate hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gas.
Hydrogen is being used as an energy source to break free from our carbon society, with initiatives underway both in Japan and globally. Hydrogen also has the following properties.
Since hydrogen fuel does not emit CO2 when used to generate electricity,it can reduce our impact on the environment. Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources are expected to further reduce CO2 emissions.
Hydrogen fuel produced from locally-generated energy sources and used within the same area will increase the number of local business opportunities, leading to local revitalization.
Stockpiling hydrogen fuel in advance can allow fuel cells to supply energy in times of eme rgency such as natural disasters,where access is cut off to traditional power sources.
Hydrogen fuel cells generate not only electricity, but also heat. This enables effective usage of energy.
The Ministry of the Environment of Japan has created educational materials to promote its activities for the creation of hydrogen society and projects for constructing a hydrogen supply chain for a decarbonized society.
Summary Document
Summary of Japan's Hydrogen Strategy[PDF 182KB]PDFContact Information
Climate Change Projects Office,Climate Change Policy Division,Global Environment Bureau,Ministry of the Environment
