From Glasgow to Antalya – Hydrogen in the Global Climate Policy Mainstream July 25, 2026

From Glasgow to Antalya – Hydrogen in the Global Climate Policy Mainstream

July 25, 2026

VAHC Secretariat 

The journey from COP26 in Glasgow (2021) to the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, Turkey (November 2026) has witnessed hydrogen's transformation from a promising technical solution into a strategic pillar of global climate negotiations.

COP26 Glasgow (2021) – The Turning Point

COP26 marked the first time hydrogen was identified as a breakthrough solution for hard-to-abate sectors such as steel production, shipping, aviation, and chemicals.

• 28 global corporations from mining, energy, manufacturing, and financial services committed to accelerating demand and supply of decarbonised hydrogen. These commitments equated to nearly a quarter of hydrogen's carbon abatement potential by 2030, estimated at approximately 800 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

• 5 leading hydrogen associations (Australian Hydrogen Council, H2KOREA, Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, Colorado Hydrogen Network, Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association) called on COP26 participants to provide clear policy frameworks to support hydrogen investment and unlock new partnerships.

• Over 40 countries signed declarations committing to global hydrogen cooperation, with total investment commitments exceeding USD 300 billion by 2030.

• IRENA and the World Economic Forum launched a green hydrogen roadmap toolkit to support policymakers in prioritising green hydrogen development.

• Vietnam committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, transforming international targets into domestic policy frameworks and joining the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

COP27 Sharm El-Sheikh (2022) – Bringing Hydrogen to the Global South

COP27 was the first COP held in the Global South, providing better access to African voices.

• High-level roundtable chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with participation from over 20 European and African heads of state, IEA, IRENA, and UNIDO leaders.

• Global Renewable Hydrogen Forum was announced – a multilateral initiative co-launched by COP27 and Belgium, aimed at building capacity, overcoming challenges, and promoting global standard adoption in developing countries.

• EU and Egypt established a strategic partnership on renewable hydrogen, laying the groundwork for a just energy transition in Egypt.

• South Africa, Namibia, and Mauritania emerged as African hydrogen hotspots, with Namibia announcing its Green Hydrogen Strategy and 100 MW renewable ammonia projects.

COP28 Dubai (2023) – Global Certification Mechanisms

COP28 achieved the most significant institutional progress for global hydrogen markets.

• COP28 Declaration on Mutual Recognition of Hydrogen and Derivative Certification Programmes was signed by over 30 countries – eventually reaching 37 signatories – to facilitate mutual recognition and accelerate global hydrogen trade.

• ISO Technical Specification 19870 on methodologies for determining greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production and transport was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

• A series of initiatives were launched to accelerate hydrogen commercialisation, keep the 1.5°C target within reach, and unlock socio-economic benefits from cross-border value chains.

• Vietnam continued to reinforce its commitments, with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính participating in the Vietnam Business Forum on the sidelines of COP28.

COP29 Baku (2024) – Hydrogen Declaration and Energy Pledges

COP29 continued to place hydrogen at the centre of global energy commitments.

• COP29 Hydrogen Declaration was issued to maintain focus on harmonising clean hydrogen market principles, with over 60 countries participating.

• COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge set a target of 1,500 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030 and building/upgrading over 80 million km of grids by 2040.

• COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge promoted renewable energy hubs and transmission lines.

• Azerbaijan confirmed its position as a potential EU partner in the transition to green hydrogen.

• Baku 300 billion USD finance goal was regarded as a historic outcome.

COP30 Belém (2025) – From Commitments to Action

COP30 in Belém, Brazil, marked the shift from pledges to practical deployment.

• Belgium and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding on green hydrogen cooperation, with green hydrogen produced in Brazil to be shipped to Belgium, and Belgium sharing expertise with Brazil. The two sides will establish a task force to explore supply chain development.

• Belém 4x Sustainable Fuels Pledge was closely monitored.

• Financial agreements continued to be strengthened through the Baku-to-Belém roadmap toward the USD 1.3 trillion goal.

COP31 Antalya (2026) – The "Implementation COP"

COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9–20, 2026, with expectations of becoming an "Implementation COP" – where decisions are not only made but translated into concrete action.

• Minister Murat Kurum, the designated COP31 President, emphasised: "The time for setting targets alone is over" and the task at hand is "to accelerate implementation".

• Hydrogen will remain a central topic, particularly in the context of Turkey's collaboration with the World Bank to decarbonise its steel industry using green hydrogen.

• IAEE COP Symposium will take place from November 11–14, 2026 in Antalya.

• A target of 35% global electrification by 2035 was set, directly impacting hydrogen development strategies.

Hydrogen's Journey Through COPs – Summary

The journey from Glasgow to Antalya demonstrates that hydrogen has moved from being viewed as a promising technical solution to becoming an integral part of the global climate policy architecture – with certification mechanisms, bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and concrete financial commitments steadily taking shape.