Green Premium Certificates™

Unlocking the Future of Clean Hydrogen

Green Premium Certificates (GPCs) empower businesses and industries to drive the transition to green hydrogen. By enabling financial incentives and contractually separating environmental benefits from physical hydrogen sales, GPCs accelerate decarbonization across global supply chains.

What Are Green Premium Certificates (GPCs)?

Green Premium Certificates (GPCs) are innovative market instruments designed to accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen (gH2+) and its derivatives by creating financial incentives for their production and adoption. GPCs function by contractually separating the environmental attributes of green hydrogen from the physical sale of the hydrogen molecules, enabling diverse market participants to contribute to decarbonization efforts.

By purchasing GPCs, companies and industries can claim the environmental benefits of green hydrogen, supporting emissions reductions across supply chains and advancing the global transition to clean energy. GPCs are crucial in bridging the cost gap between conventional hydrogen and its green alternative, facilitating investment and scaling production capacity.

Types of Green Premium Certificates

H2C has developed multiple GPC categories to address different aspects of the green hydrogen market and its environmental impact. The primary types of GPCs are:

GPC1 – Guarantee of Origin & Scope 1-2 Attribution

GPC1 certificates serve as a Guarantee of Origin (GO) for green hydrogen production, confirming that one metric tonne of hydrogen has been produced according to strict sustainability standards (such as RFNBO compliance). A GPC1 provides exclusive rights to Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions claims associated with the hydrogen’s production, making it an essential tool for companies seeking to credibly report and verify their emissions reductions.

Key Features of GPC1:

  • Certifies the origin of green hydrogen production.

  • Attributes Scope 1 & 2 emissions reduction claims to the certificate holder.

  • Facilitates compliance with regulatory and voluntary sustainability frameworks.

GPC1 – Guarantee of Origin & Scope 1-2 Attribution

GPC3 certificates represent the verified emissions reduction impact of green hydrogen when replacing fossil-based fuels in industrial and energy applications. Unlike GPC1, which focuses on production origins, GPC3 enables the holder to claim Scope 3 emissions benefits by displacing conventional fossil fuel emissions within their supply chain or operations.

Key Features of GPC3:

  • Represents the emissions reduction impact of green hydrogen adoption.

  • Enables Scope 3 decarbonization claims for off-takers and stakeholders.

  • Supports corporate net-zero strategies by validating clean hydrogen’s role in reducing lifecycle emissions.

Green Premium Certificates Highlights

Independent Decarbonization Tool

GPCs operate as an independent financial instrument that enables companies across industries to decarbonize supply chains without requiring direct hydrogen molecule transactions. This contractual separation allows a wide range of stakeholders to support and benefit from green hydrogen deployment.

Technology and Standard Agnostic

Unlike rigid compliance-based systems, GPCs focus on emissions impact rather than specific hydrogen production technologies. This ensures that any verifiable, sustainably produced green hydrogen can participate, accelerating the adoption of multiple pathways for decarbonization.

No Double Counting

GPCs implement stringent policies to prevent double counting, ensuring that each certificate represents a unique claim on the green attributes of a specific metric tonne of hydrogen. By using robust tracking mechanisms, GPCs provide verifiable ownership of Scope 1 and 2 emission claims, eliminating the risk of multiple entities claiming the same environmental benefit.

3rd Party Verified Credibility

GPCs adhere to rigorous third-party validation processes to ensure that each certificate accurately reflects the green hydrogen attributes being claimed. This independent verification guarantees credibility, making GPCs a trusted instrument for sustainability reporting.

Green Premium Certificates (GPCs) stand out as a critical mechanism for financing and accelerating the global adoption of green hydrogen. Here’s what makes GPCs unique and impactful:

Complete Transparency

The H2C framework ensures full traceability of GPCs by tracking production standards, origin verification, and transaction history. By leveraging best-in-class methodologies, users can confidently book, transfer, and retire certificates with a clear view of their environmental impact.

Mission-Driven and Market-Driven

H2C is structured to facilitate market-wide hydrogen adoption with a focus on real, scalable emissions reductions. By aligning global stakeholders, GPCs provide a practical pathway to financing green hydrogen at a pace necessary to meet net-zero ambitions.

Open to All Industries

GPCs are designed to support the decarbonization goals of companies in heavy industry, transport, and energy sectors, regardless of their current hydrogen adoption level. Whether an organization is directly using green hydrogen or looking to offset emissions, GPCs provide a scalable solution for all industries.

Seamless Integration – No Infrastructure Burden

GPCs can be seamlessly integrated into corporate decarbonization strategies without requiring additional IT or infrastructure investments. Companies can participate in the green hydrogen economy without the need for complex system overhauls.

The Role of GPCs in the Hydrogen Economy

Green Premium Certificates inject financial viability into green hydrogen projects by allowing companies to support and benefit from clean hydrogen without necessarily purchasing physical hydrogen molecules. This system lowers barriers to entry, activates new production facilities, and helps industrial players transition away from fossil fuels in a cost-effective manner.

By integrating GPCs into corporate sustainability strategies, businesses can:

  • Accelerate the global green hydrogen market.

  • Meet carbon reduction commitments and sustainability goals.

  • Support innovation and infrastructure for clean energy solutions.

H2C’s Green Premium Certificates are designed to create a robust and transparent market for green hydrogen, ensuring that decarbonization efforts translate into real-world impact.

To learn more or participate in the GPC market, contact us at info@h2c.org.