Johnson said this is not the moment to go “weak on Net-Zero”, but step up renewables such as wind power and green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is set to be a major focus at the UN climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh. Alongside research, such as the launch of a new paper on Development Finance for the green hydrogen economy, and a study from McKinsey for the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance, a series of seminars will tackle key policy, technology and decarbonisation issues.

“While diplomatic breakthroughs at COP27 on issues such as loss and damage finance are by no means certain, the rapidly growing green hydrogen economy promises to be a bright spot in the Egyptian desert sky at Sharm El Sheikh,” notes the Green Hydrogen Organisation.

At today’s opening of COP27, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned the world is at the “point of no return” and must accelerate the energy transition, especially as the world’s population is poised to pass 8 billion shortly.

“We are on the highway to climate hell,” he said. “We need all hands on deck for faster, bolder action – but only a narrow shaft of light remains.”

Egypt President Abdel Fattah el Sisi said despite the challenges, the international community can achieve progress on Paris goals. “It’s essential that all parties come together, above all for the African continent – their priority must be taken into account.”

He called on the Ukraine conflict to end. “The suffering must finish,” he said.

While no longer UK prime minister, Johnson was leader during last year’s COP26 Conference in Glasgow, and consistently seen as ‘pro hydrogen’ in energy policy.

Read more:  Is Boris Johnson’s ‘big bet’ on hydrogen still on the table?

COP27, which will hold a series of thematic days highlighting key issues affecting climate change, is hosting world leaders and around 40,000 delegates.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit will take place over the next two days, bringing all participating heads of state and government.

Following the summit’s inauguration, several roundtables will be held to focus on six key topics: Just Transitions, Food Security, Innovative Finance for Climate and Development, Investing in the Future of Energy, Water Security, and Climate Change and The Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities.