Natural Resources Canada confirmed June 7 it is developing a national hydrogen strategy, joining a number of countries in doing so.
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The federal agency said it is working with governments at all levels as well as academia and the private sector to inform the strategy's development.
The agency does not have an expected release date.
It is partly the result of a 2017 citizen survey that identified a low-carbon future as important to Canadians. This led to a subsequent report produced by the Generation Energy Council identifying hydrogen "as being particularly important given its potential role both as a fuel source and in energy storage applications."
"Momentum on hydrogen is growing globally and Canada is well-positioned to benefit from growing international demand for hydrogen and fuel cells," said the agency.
Many governments are developing hydrogen strategies as a means of cutting CO2 emissions to meet climate goals. Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing transportation, one of the leading sectors for CO2 emissions and among the most challenging for reform given its highly distributed nature.
Hydrogen can also replace fossil fuels in power generation as well as materials production, such as steel and cement.
Countries that have released a national hydrogen strategy include the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The European Commission is slated to present a hydrogen strategy for the EU on June 24.