Bellona urges Germany to adjust carbon contracts for difference to support hydrogen rollout and CCS

The NGO Bellona has released a paper calling on the German government to revise the funding guidelines for carbon contracts for difference. These contracts are meant to help industry transition to hydrogen and carbon capture, but Bellona argues the current rules risk funding misguided projects. The paper was obtained in advance by Table.Briefings. Bellona wants the government to tighten conditions so that carbon contracts for difference actually drive real emissions reductions in hard to abate sectors. The NGO is concerned that without changes, public money could flow to projects that lock in fossil fuel use rather than accelerate clean hydrogen deployment. For anyone following German climate policy or industrial decarbonization, this is a concrete proposal that could reshape how billions in state support are allocated. The outcome will affect hydrogen project economics and CCS investment decisions across Europe.