Hydrogen is often hyped as the clean fuel of the future, but not all hydrogen is created equal. While green hydrogen gets most of the praise, there’s a dirtier version quietly making its way into the global energy mix—black hydrogen. It might sound mysterious, but black hydrogen is far from clean. Made from coal, it’s actually one of the most polluting forms of hydrogen on the planet and a serious threat to climate targets.
Let’s cut into what black hydrogen really is, why it’s still used, and why it may be one of the biggest environmental mistakes of the energy transition.
Table of Contents
Black
Black hydrogen is produced through a method called coal gasification. In this process, coal is heated to extreme temperatures with steam and oxygen to produce something called synthesis gas (or syngas), which contains hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other gases. The hydrogen is then separated and collected for industrial use.
But here’s the problem: this process produces a huge amount of emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), every 1 kilogram of black hydrogen produced emits between 22 and 26 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent. That’s not just a little pollution — that’s more than oil and nearly every other fossil fuel.
What’s worse is that many facilities don’t use carbon capture technology, so most of the pollution goes straight into the atmosphere. It’s a recipe for disaster if we’re trying to meet global climate goals.
Usage
So, if black hydrogen is so dirty, why is it still being used? The answer mostly comes down to cost and convenience. In several countries, black hydrogen remains a tempting option because of:
- Existing infrastructure: Coal-producing regions already have the infrastructure — mining facilities, transport, chemical plants — to support coal gasification.
- Weak regulations: In places without strict emissions rules or carbon taxes, it’s financially easier to stick with coal-based hydrogen.
- Industrial demand: Industries like ammonia and methanol production have long used fossil-based hydrogen. Transitioning would require serious investment.
In other words, it’s not just a technological issue — it’s a problem of economic inertia and regulatory gaps.
Impacts
The hidden costs of black hydrogen go way beyond just carbon emissions. Let’s take a look at the broader picture:
- Massive emissions: Over 20 kg of CO₂ per kg of hydrogen is a climate disaster.
- Coal mining impacts: The coal industry contributes to land degradation, water pollution, and methane emissions — a greenhouse gas much more potent than CO₂.
- Ecosystem damage: Coal mining can lead to toxic runoff, destroyed habitats, and long-term air and water pollution.
- False economy: Even though black hydrogen looks cheap, the real cost includes rising healthcare bills, environmental cleanup, and climate adaptation — all paid by society, not the companies producing it.
So while it might seem like a bargain up front, black hydrogen could be one of the most expensive energy choices in the long run.
Solutions
Phasing out black hydrogen won’t be easy. It requires policy, investment, and international coordination. But it’s necessary. Here’s how the world can start moving away from it:
- Introduce stricter emissions rules that penalize polluting hydrogen sources.
- Label hydrogen types clearly — green, blue, black — so consumers and industries know the difference.
- Apply fair carbon pricing, so coal-based hydrogen reflects its real impact.
- Invest in green hydrogen, which uses renewable electricity and water — and emits no CO₂ in production.
- Support coal regions through a just transition plan, helping workers retrain and industries shift toward cleaner jobs.
- Promote global cooperation to share technology, set standards, and finance green alternatives in developing countries.
Future
Black hydrogen might sound like just another energy type, but it’s a dangerous step backward disguised as progress. While it’s technically “hydrogen,” its environmental impact rivals that of coal and oil. By keeping black hydrogen in the mix, countries risk locking in decades of emissions — just when the planet can’t afford it.
It’s clear that the future of hydrogen should be green, not black. We already have the knowledge and technology to shift gears — the real challenge is the will to make it happen.
FAQs
What is black hydrogen made from?
It’s made by gasifying coal at high temperatures.
How polluting is black hydrogen?
It emits 22–26 kg of CO₂ per 1 kg of hydrogen.
Why is black hydrogen still used?
Due to cheap costs, existing infrastructure, and weak regulations.
Is black hydrogen worse than oil?
Yes, it has a higher carbon footprint than oil.
What’s a better alternative to black hydrogen?
Green hydrogen made from water and renewable energy.
