March 28, the UK Environment Agency (Environment Agency The Agency) has issued green hydrogen production guidelines that can be used to guide emerging technologies for hydrogen production through electrolysis of water. The guidance was developed in consultation with industry, other UK regulators and other stakeholders by the UK Environment Agency to help companies design and develop industrial facilities to produce green hydrogen. Hydrogen producers in the UK need to obtain an environmental permit issued by the Environment Agency, and the guidance will also help companies meet strict requirements to protect the environment and communities before obtaining a permit. The guide includes 11 specific contents including applicable populations, technology selection, plant design and operation, exhaust emissions, wastewater management, waste disposal, monitoring and reporting, unplanned emissions and accident handling, noise management, and regulatory agency assistance.

Hydrogen energy provides huge economic opportunities for the UK and is expected to release more than 12000 jobs and up to £ 11 billion in investment in the UK by 2030. The British government continues to promote the deployment of low-carbon hydrogen production projects. In August 2021, the UK's Department for Commerce, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) released the "UK Hydrogen Energy Strategy", proposing to develop a low-carbon hydrogen industry, achieve a low-carbon hydrogen production capacity of 5 GW by 2030, and achieve net zero emissions goals. In December 2023, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Emissions Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) released the "Hydrogen Production and Delivery Roadmap" and the "Hydrogen Transport and Storage Network Development Path" to support electrolytic hydrogen production projects and the construction of hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure networks through multiple measures. During the same period, DESNZ co-funded 11 large-scale projects to produce green hydrogen through the "Hydrogen Production Business Model/Net Zero Hydrogen Fund", with a view to achieving the goal of providing up to 4GW of blue hydrogen and 6GW of green hydrogen by 2030.

As the UK moves towards the "net zero" goal, the Environment Agency recognizes the importance of developing clear guidance for emerging energy technologies such as green hydrogen to ensure hydrogen production occurs in a way that protects people and the environment. The guide will help companies understand the risks that must be managed and outline available technologies to prevent or minimize emissions and environmental impacts; in addition to providing licensing recommendations to operators, the guide also informs the public on how to implement environmental regulations and standards to protect communities from hazards.