Abstract

With carbon neutrality becoming a paramount energy policy objective, both governments and industry are moving to scale-up production of low-carbon energy. Hydrogen, in particular, has gained the attention of the global energy industry. Canada has been quick to embrace this shift in support of a global energy transition by setting in place policy objectives aimed at scaling-up hydrogen exports. At the same time, as a historical energy importer, Japan increasingly views hydrogen as a key element in meeting its climate change obligations and as a core component of its efforts to transition the Japanese economy towards 'net-zero' by 2050. With various hydrogen export projects announced around the world, this article examines the current landscape for promoting a supply chain between Canada as a hydrogen exporter and Japan as a hydrogen importer. It explores the challenges surrounding the development of a hydrogen export economy in Western Canada and highlights the key legal risk factors to consider in ongoing efforts to facilitate the development of a trans-Pacific hydrogen value chain for low-carbon energy imports by Japan, underpinned by a clean hydrogen standard and certification scheme.

This paper will be part of the OGEL Special Issue on "Carbon-neutral Energy". More information here www.ogel.org/news.asp?key=688