With a simple line detailing “Taking action now can secure our future” the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has never been greater and is a key issue that must be tackled to ensure our long-term futures.

Key aspects of this and the severe consequences if we do not achieve this have been detailed in the Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability report.

In order to achieve net zero emissions, several technologies must be expanded and adopted more widely in order to decarbonise various sectors.

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Electrification and batteries can only decarbonise a certain number of sectors before their optimisation range begins to waver. For this hydrogen presents a key method in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors and complement electrification.

Hydrogen provides a means to store renewable energy from solar and wind and thus can be coupled with these energy vectors to ensure that the intermittent sources provide a steady flow of renewable energy when it is required throughout the day and year.

Speaking on the report, Hoesung Lee, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said, “This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction.

“It shows that climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet. Our actions today will shape how people adapt and nature responds to increasing climate risks.”

In order to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reach the 1.5°C threshold, hydrogen adoption and technologies must be accelerated in order to support the growing renewable sector.

There should not be an either/or debate with batteries and hydrogen either, both will be required and must be explored in order to preserve our futures and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Without further actions, major weather events and catastrophic weather will be observed, as we have done in recent years, highlighting the true urgency to scale zero-emission technologies.

Hydrogen is not the only option; however it makes up a key part of the jigsaw in decarbonising the globe and achieving a net zero future for us all.