Roland Berger is one of the supporters of All4Climate – an initiative of climate champions around the world that will contribute to this September’s Pre-COP meetings in Milan as well as November’s COP26, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy. Watch our virtual event contribution here in the stream.

All4Climate – Italy 2021 wants to make this year a landmark year for climate ambition. Launched by the Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition in collaboration with the World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate and with the participation of the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Milan, All4Climate aims to foster proactive dialogue on the challenges of the climate crisis and deliver on the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Pre-COP26 - Milan, Italy

A prepatory meeting for the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Pre-COP provides an informal space for select countries to exchange views and discuss key political aspects and offer guidance for subsequent negotiations. This year's Pre-COP in Milan will be attended by nealry 40 countries, representatives of the UNFCCC Secretariat, the chairs of the Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention and a number of stakeholders who play a key role in the fight against climate change.

Paris Agreement's CO2 reduction targets drive hydrogen investments

Green hydrogen is becoming a cornerstone of the global energy transition and decarbonization efforts. It promises many positive outcomes in terms of both sustainability and economics. Policymakers and private investors worldwide are investing in this renewable energy source with the goal of meeting the Paris Agreement's ambitious CO2 reduction targets.

Countries around the world are taking concrete steps to combat the climate crisis. In Europe, Germany plans to spend EUR 8 bn over the next three years on key sustainability projects. In the US, venture capital money is flowing into the hydrogen sector. The Middle East is developing hydrogen infrastructure and countries in Asia are investing in sustainable mobility technology, such as fuel cells, battery storage and electrolysis.

How will Italy position itself in the future hydrogen value chain?

Italy is well-suited to be a hub for hydrogen production. For starters, the country's position in the Mediterranean Sea and its proximity to North Africa make it ideal for renewable energy produced from either wind and solar power. This, combined with the country's industrial and engineering capabilities and gas infrastructure, could set it up to produce enough hydrogen for domestic use and exportation. The low-cost hydrogen produced and large domestic demand could even help the country break-even financially well before other European markets.

On the way to hydrogen championship

In order for Italy to become a top player in hydrogen production, a few challenges must be overcome. First, Italy needs to accelerate its execution phase and define its priorities ahead of time. The public and private sectors must also figure out how to collaborate with each other to create maximum efficiency.

Watch our virtual event presentation as of October 1, 2021, where we discuss the potential of hydrogen worldwide and, specifically, Italy’s positioning in this promising market together with two important Italian players: Ansaldo Energia and A2A .

Register now to receive regular updates on the future of the hydrogen business.