Coalition calls on UN to push for hydrogen technology to improve air quality

A coalition of 16 national associations has come together to lobby for increased investment for research into hydrogen and fuel cells in a bid to dramatically cut global emissions.

The group, called the Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (Path), submitted an open letter to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary for the UN framework on climate change, calling for greater levels of private and public investment into the technology.

Path claims that using hydrogen and fuel cells in hybrid and electric drive vehicles could lead to the development of advanced technology that produces no emissions.

"In a carbon-constrained world, hydrogen and fuel cells become considerably more valuable," the letter stated.

Analysis carried out by Path across Europe, the US and Japan found that zero emission vehicles are the only way to eliminate 80 per cent of the greenhouse gas output produced by light duty vehicles in developed countries.

Path released its letter ahead of the UN's climate change summit to be held in Copenhagen later this month.

World leaders, including Barack Obama and Gordon Brown, will gather to discuss global emissions levels and targets for their reduction in the Danish capital from December 7th.

Posted by Claire Manning