Hydrogen can be officially recognized as “green” only if its non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed 2 kg of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e)/kg of hydrogen, averaged over 12 months, under the newly introduced Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI).

The GHCI, a critical component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aims to establish rigorous standards for GHG emissions, with robust monitoring and transparent verification procedures. By ensuring credibility and environmental integrity, the certification program targets building stakeholder confidence, attracting domestic and international investment, and advancing India’s policy objectives for carbon neutrality and global climate leadership.

Types of Certificates

The GHCI provides two categories of certification for hydrogen production facilities. The first is the concept certificate, a voluntary document confirming that the hydrogen production facility’s design meets the prerequisites under the GHCI’s monitoring, reporting, and verification framework. This certificate can be applied after the facility’s design or front-end engineering design is approved.

In contrast, the facility-level certificate is mandatory for facilities seeking provisional or final certificates for the hydrogen produced. This certificate confirms that the facility has fulfilled the monitoring, reporting, and verification framework requirements and has received the statutory “consent to operate.”

GHCI offers two types of certificates to certify actual hydrogen production. The provisional certificate is auto-generated and voluntary. It is issued based on the production data submitted by the producer and covers durations ranging from one to eleven months. However, the final certificate is compulsory in specific cases. These include instances where the producer receives government incentives, subsidies, or concessions, where the hydrogen is sold or used within India, and where the facility serves domestic and export markets.

Final certification is not required for small facilities producing less than ten tons annually, nor for producers who export 100% of their output without claiming government incentives. However, such producers must still report emissions per the destination country’s standards.

System Boundaries and Emission Accounting

The system boundaries defined under GHCI include all direct and indirect emissions from processes within the production facility. These encompass emissions from water treatment, electrolysis, purification, compression, onsite storage in the case of electrolysis, and additional steps such as biomass processing and steam generation for biomass-based pathways.

Offsite emissions from water treatment may be accounted for using default values, while emissions related to capital goods and construction are excluded.

The emission calculation also incorporates input materials such as water, oxygen, and solvents, provided they are sourced externally. The certificate must also document the final hydrogen composition and production pressure.

Production Pathways

Only two hydrogen production pathways are eligible under GHCI: electrolysis and biomass conversion, including biogas reforming and gasification. However, stakeholders may propose additional pathways, which the technical committee will review.

Renewable Energy Usage

Renewable electricity is a cornerstone of green hydrogen production under this program. The GHCI requires that producers demonstrate the use of renewable electricity via verifiable mechanisms such as power purchase agreements and load dispatch certificates. Renewable energy must be physically sourced, either stored or banked with the grid and cannot be claimed based on renewable energy certificates or carbon credits.

Data Recording and Monitoring Protocols

To maintain transparency, GHCI mandates detailed record-keeping for at least five years. These records must include daily hydrogen production logs, physical and chemical parameters, energy consumption data, feedstock usage, and other production-related inputs. Producers must also maintain information on sales and whether the hydrogen was further processed into carriers. Although commercial data such as offtake contracts is exempt from certification documentation, all data is subject to verification by accredited carbon verification (ACV) agencies.

GHG Emission Quantification

GHG emissions must be calculated using the methodology defined in the GHCI or, where unspecified, using Indian or ISO standards such as ISO 14064 or ISO 19870:2023. Emission intensities must be rounded to one decimal place, and emissions from non-renewable sources are to be calculated using the grid emission factor published by the Central Electricity Authority. Transmission and distribution losses must also be factored into the emission intensity. The methodology supports the allocation of emissions to co-products using the energy content allocation method and addresses situations involving waste heat or externally sourced heat.

Role of ACV Agencies

ACV agencies, accredited by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, play a critical role in the certification process. Their responsibilities include conducting independent audits, ensuring accurate GHG emission reporting, and promoting transparency and compliance. They help to uphold the certification’s credibility and support India’s broader climate goals by enabling projects to qualify for carbon credits under India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).

ISO 19870:2023

ISO 19870:2023 is a significant reference in GHCI for assessing lifecycle GHG emissions. It provides a standardized framework for evaluating hydrogen production from resource extraction to consumption and supports attributional and consequential approaches. The standard facilitates policy formulation and investor confidence and supports global benchmarking and comparability of certification programs.

Certification Timeline and Compliance Enforcement

The certification process involves a structured timeline. Provisional certificates may be applied monthly, and final certificates must be applied by June 30 following the financial year. Issuance follows a thorough review by the technical committee, with final decisions due by September 30. In cases of discrepancy or non-compliance, extensions and penalties may apply. Certificates may be withdrawn if the verified emissions exceed the threshold or the producer fails to apply for the final certificate in time. Repeat violations within a three-year window can result in disqualification from applying in the next cycle. Continued non-compliance may lead to further sanctions.

Features and Certification Validity

Each certificate issued under GHCI carries a unique identifier for every 100 kg of hydrogen, along with the production year, project information, and emission intensity. While the certificates serve as proof of origin and ensure chain of custody, they also enable the producer to claim carbon credits, provided additional CCTS requirements are met. A fee of ₹5 (~$0.059)/100 kg is applicable for final certification. Other certificates are free of charge.

Monitoring of the programs’s implementation is conducted by a program monitoring committee chaired by MNRE’s secretary, with participation from other ministries and domain experts. The committee may recommend policy adjustments and help resolve implementation challenges. The program itself may be modified in the future with approval from the Minister of New and Renewable Energy.

In November last year, MNRE unveiled a program to support pilot projects exploring novel methods and pathways for green hydrogen production and use, particularly in residential, commercial, and decentralized applications.