UK CMA raises ‘greenwashing’ concerns about hydrogen-capable boiler messaging
A report by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised concerns about “greenwashing and misleading messaging” about hydrogen-capable boilers.
The CMA has warned that incomplete or inaccurate information about hydrogen use risks making it harder for consumers to make an informed decision.
Coming as the UK Government plans to make a decision on using a 20{7bfcd0aebedba9ec56d5615176ab7cebc5409dfb82345290162ba6c44abf8bc8} hydrogen blend in gas networks to heat homes from 2025 later this year, the report raises concerns surrounding the messaging about hydrogen capable boilers.
“There is no difference technically between a standard gas boiler and one marketed as a ‘hydrogen-blend’ boiler – both can operate safely with a 20{7bfcd0aebedba9ec56d5615176ab7cebc5409dfb82345290162ba6c44abf8bc8} hydrogen blend,” the CMA wrote.
In that context, the CMA says it is concerned that businesses’ claims and messaging about hydrogen-capable boilers “may constitute greenwashing and mislead consumers into thinking that these products are more environmentally friendly or ‘greener’ than they are.”
Saying it had found evidence for example of “several large businesses”, the CMA said explicitly marketing boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend’ or ‘hydrogen ready’ may give the incorrect impression that use of hydrogen is imminent and that specific environmental benefits can only be obtained from these boilers and not standard has boilers.
Additionally, the body said providing incomplete or inaccurate information about hydrogen use could make it harder for consumers to make an informed decision.
The report, Consumer protection in the green heating and insulation sector, also raised concerns about limited and inconsistent provision of upfront pricing information for a range of green heating and insulation products.
The hydrogen for heating debate
The CMA’s report comes against a backdrop of regular debate about the use of hydrogen in future heating systems, particularly in the UK.
In December (2022), the UK Government launched a consultation for views on proposals to mandate that from 2026 all newly installed gas boilers are hydrogen-ready.
Just months later the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) responded to the consultation, saying it sees “considerable risks and negligible opportunities” to pass such a mandate.
Read more: UKGBC sees ‘considerable risks and negligible opportunities’ for hydrogen-ready boiler mandate
The Council said its 2021 Whole Life Carbon Roadmap to Decarbonise the Built Environment report concluded that there is “limited rationale for the use of hydrogen to heat buildings,” although noted there is an increasing consensus that there is a clear role for hydrogen to decarbonise high-temperature industrial processes and some transport.
Shortly after the Council’s response, the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA) urged the government to deliver the mandate, suggesting it could save consumers up to £36bn ($45bn) in replacement costs.
Read more: Mandating hydrogen-ready boilers from 2026 could save £36bn, says NWHA
Modelled against the National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios, the NWHA said its analysis showed that delaying such mandate until 2030 could cost an additional £8.6bn ($10.7bn) and has called for urgent action to provide certainty for the industry and drive investment.
The UK Hydrogen Champion, Jane Toogood, Chief Executive of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey revealed a report that recommended the UK Government should stimulate demand for hydrogen in blending, heating and transport.
Noting the UK Government’s planned neighbourhood heating trial by 2024 and village-scale trial by 2025, Toogood wrote, “Only after 2030 would hydrogen for heat have any meaningful role to play, but scale-up could be swift beyond 2030, with heating (for both domestic and commercial purposes) potentially accounting for up to around 40{7bfcd0aebedba9ec56d5615176ab7cebc5409dfb82345290162ba6c44abf8bc8} of total hydrogen demand by 2050.”
However, one of the candidate projects for the hydrogen village trial came under fire in January (2023), when a UK MP and a local councillor raised concerns over the plans.
Read more: Concerns raised over UK hydrogen trial
UK gas company Cadent had applied for Ellesmere Port to be considered for the UK Government’s Hydrogen Town pilot, but has since faced backlash from Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, and Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council.
In a letter to Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Madders and Gittins raised concerns of constituents surrounding uncertainty of what such a pilot could entail for residents.
It read, “Basic questions, for example, such as what will happen to the cost of energy after the trail ends, have thus far been left unanswered, leaving our constituents in a lot of doubt as to what will happen once the scheme ends.”
“In conversations we have had with Cadent’s representatives, the fact that people have genuine concerns about the lack of information have been largely overlooked by them,” Madders and Gittins added.
Since that letter, Cadent has announced changes to its plans for the potential trial, allowing for the residents to opt out of the trial, while offering a range of incentives, including £2,500 ($3,128), for those who do partake.
Read more: Cadent allows residents to opt out of Hydrogen Village trial
Fuel for thought: Is hydrogen the solution to net-zero home heating?
Coming home at the end of the day to a warm house is something that many people perhaps take for granted. But have you ever sat back and wondered exactly how your home is heated and the impact that energy source could have on the world we live in today?
It may seem odd to answer the question which stands as the headline of this feature with another question, however, the basics are important here, as we explore what the future of home heating could look like – especially when it comes to the possibility of hydrogen.
Traditionally, natural gas has heated the majority of homes, with approximately half of North American houses being heated by the energy source today, when it comes to both space heating and water heating1. Across the pond in Europe, things look similar with natural gas yet again named as the leading energy source for domestic heating, fuelling approximately 39{7bfcd0aebedba9ec56d5615176ab7cebc5409dfb82345290162ba6c44abf8bc8} of homes in 20192.
That being said, as the world looks to build a green future, the globe’s dependence on natural gas is going to need to lessen. Why is this? Because through burning natural gas, energy suppliers are releasing tonnes and tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, resulting in heating being the largest source of CO2 from most of today’s homes3…
Click here to keep reading.