Global Network: BCSDA Cited in Australian Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2024

SYDNEY, 10 October – The World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Global Network partner in Australia, the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA), is pleased to announce its significant contribution to the Australian Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2024. The citation of BCSDA in this landmark policy document underscores its role in shaping the future of Australia’s hydrogen industry and advancing the nation’s path to net-zero emissions.

The National Hydrogen Strategy 2024 outlines Australia’s ambition to become a global leader in renewable hydrogen production, reinforcing the importance of green hydrogen in decarbonising industries and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. BCSDA’s input, particularly through references to global best practices from WBCSD, has been instrumental in aligning Australia’s strategy with international standards for low-carbon hydrogen deployment.

A Strategic Contribution to Australia’s Hydrogen Future

BCSDA’s involvement in the strategy reflects our leadership in promoting sustainable business practices and fostering the clean energy transition, said BCSDA CEO Andrew Petersen. Our submission to the Australian Government, drawing on WBCSD’s global expertise, emphasised the pivotal role of renewable hydrogen in decarbonising energy-intensive sectors. The WBCSD Low-Carbon Hydrogen Project, which BCSDA supports, aims to address key challenges such as energy-intensive production, complex storage, lack of offtake and high infrastructure costs, which are critical for the large-scale adoption of low-carbon renewable hydrogen.

- Andrew Petersen, CEO, BCSDA 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global hydrogen demand saw continued growth in 2023 and is projected to rise further, reaching nearly 100 million tonnes (Mt) by the end of 2024. Through collaboration with businesses, policymakers, and international organizations, WBCSD is driving efforts to unlock investment barriers and accelerate the deployment of decarbonised hydrogen. 

Renewable hydrogen, hydrogen produced using renewable energy, represents a crucial solution for reducing Australia’s industrial carbon footprint. BCSDA has long advocated for the scaling up of green hydrogen technologies to support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel production and long-haul transport. Its engagement in the national dialogue around hydrogen ensures that Australia captures the full economic environmental, and social benefits of this transformative technology.

Reinforcing Our Vision for a Sustainable Future

The citation of BCSDA in the National Hydrogen Strategy reflects its unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable and climate-resilient economy. It reinforces its mission to lead Australia’s business community in adopting sustainable practices, while helping to shape policies that drive our transition to a net-zero economy.

BCSDA’s efforts in this space are not only about reducing emissions but also about creating a robust, sustainable economy that can thrive in a low-carbon future. The recognition of itswork in the National Hydrogen Strategy reinforces its role as a key player in Australia’s energy transition and its dedication to achieving sustainable development goals.

Useful Resources

IEA (2024), Global Hydrogen Review 2024, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024, Licence: CC BY 4.0

WBCSD (2024), WBCSD, Strategic Investment in Hydrogen Offtake: A Toolkit for Senior Leaders, WBCSD, Geneva, https://wbcsd.7circles.com/resources/strategic-investment-in-hydrogen-offtake/

WBCSD (2023), Policy strategies to grow decarbonized hydrogen demand: Sector-specific recommendations, WBCSD, Geneva, https://wbcsd.7circles.com/resources/policy-strategies-to-grow-decarbonized-hydrogen-demand-sector-specific-recommendations/

About BCSD Australia 

The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses.  BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.

In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.

t:          +61 (0)2 8005 0780

m:        +61 (0)412 545 994

w:        www.bcsda.org.au

For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994