BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A senior official with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has highlighted the significance of hydrogen energy in cutting carbon emissions and hailed China's progress in the field.

"Green hydrogen stands at the heart of sustainable development," James George, deputy resident representative of UNDP China, said Wednesday when addressing the opening ceremony of the China International Hydrogen Congress 2025.

"A strong hydrogen economy has the potential to revolutionize energy systems, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate the green transition," he added.

Citing China's hydrogen energy development plan for 2021-2035, George said it had been key in adopting hydrogen and fuel cell technology, demonstrating the government's commitment to low-carbon development and clean energy.

By 2025, annual hydrogen production from renewable energy is expected to reach 100,000 metric tonnes to 200,000 metric tonnes, and by 2030, China is seeking a reasonable and orderly industrial layout and wide use of hydrogen production from renewable energy to offer solid support for the carbon peaking goal, according to the plan.

"We are seeing positive signs that need to be continued and scaled," George noted, citing the rapid expansion in installed renewable hydrogen production capacity in the north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as an example.

Co-organized by the China Hydrogen Alliance and the China Electricity Council, the China International Hydrogen Congress 2025 as well as an accompanying large-scale industrial exhibition, has showcased the latest developments in hydrogen energy technologies and applications.

While acknowledging the remarkable progress made in the field globally, he also noted that there is still much work to do.

Despite dozens of governments having adopted hydrogen strategies, green hydrogen still accounts for a tiny portion of global hydrogen production -- a challenge that also signals untapped potential and an immense opportunity, according to him.

Since 2003, UNDP China has collaborated with the Chinese government and the China Hydrogen Alliance to advance fuel cell vehicle demonstrations, vocational training, and technological innovation, George said.

A competition to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in hydrogen energy was launched Wednesday, an initiative George said would strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and empower small and medium-sized enterprises to lead in green technology innovation.

"Together, let's build a hydrogen ecosystem and accelerating momentum for a just, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition in China," he said. Enditem

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