Aiming to create the right policy frameworks to achieve a hydrogen future, the “world’s first” specialist communications unit dedicated to hydrogen has been launched.
Based in London, UK, Hydrogen Future will focus on political lobbying, media relations and specialist events.
It has been set up by independent UK agency The Connect Group, who have collaborated with some of the biggest players in hydrogen innovation such as Cadent, Northern Gas Networks and Toyota, over the past few years.
Explaining the reasons behind the launch, Rob Dale (pictured below), who will lead Hydrogen Future, told H2 View, “We’re launching this unique, specialist unit because we believe that a major shift to hydrogen is essential to meeting worldwide Net Zero targets.”
© Hydrogen Future/The Connect Group
“This will create millions of high-quality jobs across the world and open exciting global export and investment opportunities, and we want to play a big role in delivering this.”
“However, to realise these long-term opportunities, we need governments to make bold policy decisions today.”
Dale said Hydrogen Future will support organisations across the world to demonstrate the varied and vital role that hydrogen must play in our future economy.
It is already supporting world-leading hydrogen initiatives such as H21, HyDeploy and the Gas Decarbonisation Pathways from the Energy Networks Association.
The Connect Group has strong credits in the hydrogen sector and also established the influential All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hydrogen – its biggest success to date.
The cross-party group of MPs and Members of the House of Lords has significantly increased political interest in hydrogen in the UK and secured a commitment by the government to conduct a major consultation in the potential of ‘low carbon gas’.
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The APPG has also convened the first ever Hydrogen Showcase, which saw more than 40 MPs attend and meet with leading businesses and organisations working on hydrogen in the UK.
The team behind Hydrogen Future has also sought to bring stories of hydrogen to the wider public, working with the BBC, Sky News, The Economist and The Times to promote news articles.
Andy Sawford, Managing Partner of The Connect Group, commented, “We’re incredibly excited about the potential of hydrogen and the opportunity for a major shift in how we travel, heat our homes and power heavy industry.”
“We know that support for hydrogen among politicians and advisers is growing quickly. To capitalise on this, and secure the right policy framework needed for long term investment, we must now inspire decision makers through clear, exciting and evidenced based communications.”
