Review on the intersection of materials science and policy: a dual-track approach to realizing a green hydrogen economy for climate-neutral energy transition

A sustainable energy transition critically depends on the successful development and deployment of green hydrogen (G-H₂). However, achieving this goal requires addressing a complex interplay of technological, economic, and policy-related challenges. This review explores the key factors influencing the production and adoption of G-H₂, including materials and catalyst chemistries, and policy integration. Key discussions center on the global G-H₂ projects implementation assessment, which reveals a critical need for technological advancements in materials and catalysts to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of G-H₂ energy, while formulating an optimal strategic policy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for climate action, including the most effective G-H₂ strategy, is a difficult task. In addition, various decarbonization solutions exist, with their comparative costs and benefits persistently evolving due to the pace of innovation and technological development advancements. As a result, governments are tightened with difficult choices to make on which of the technology strategies best fit the energy future of their countries, while avoiding the risks of locking in less efficient or slower emissions reduction pathways. For this reason, setting clear policy priorities is an important component for successful G-H₂ policy making towards integrating G-H₂ into the global energy system for sustainable, climate-neutral energy transition.