Bad Idea #24 "We’ll just use Hydrogen!" with Michael Liebreich

🔍 Episode Summary:

Is green hydrogen the silver bullet for decarbonisation — or a trillion-dollar distraction?

In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by energy analyst, investor, and podcaster Michael Liebreich to unpack Bad Idea #24: “We’ll just use Hydrogen!”

Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance and co-host of the Cleaning Up podcast, makes the provocative case that green hydrogen is over-hyped, fundamentally flawed as a fuel, and destined to remain a niche solution rather than the backbone of a “hydrogen economy.”

Together they explore the physics, economics, and politics of hydrogen — why hype keeps returning in 20-year cycles, what role hydrogen can play in industry and fertilisers, and why pragmatism, not techno-fantasy, must drive climate strategy.

🧠 Topics Discussed:

● 💧 Why hydrogen is a “really crappy fuel” — and the laws of thermodynamics make it costly

● 📉 The difference between green, blue, grey, turquoise, and pink hydrogen

● 🏭 Current global hydrogen use: 100m tonnes/year, and why 0.1% is green ● 🚢 Why shipping liquid hydrogen is nearly impossible (density, leakage, energy loss)

● 💸 Hydrogen’s “missing trillions”: the cost gap with grey hydrogen

● 🛩️ Europe’s RED III mandate and the looming cost inflation in aviation fuels

● 🚛 Why trucks, steel, and shipping are unlikely to go hydrogen

● 🔋 The rise of electric trucks, batteries, and the hydrogen ladder framework

● ⚖️ Pragmatism vs. hype: why chasing bad ideas risks a climate backlash

● 🐢 The “Pragmatic Climate Reset”: think like a tortoise, not a hare

👨‍🏫 Guest Bio:

Michael Liebreich is founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, managing partner of EcoPragma Capital, and CEO of Liebreich Associates. A former Olympic skier, he is now one of the world’s leading clean-energy analysts. He is also co-host of the podcast Cleaning Up. His influential “Hydrogen Ladder” has shaped debate about where hydrogen makes sense — and where it doesn’t. Michael also writes extensively at Liebreich Associates Essays.

📚 Recommended Reading & Resources:

● Michael Liebreich – The Hydrogen Ladder

● Michael Liebreich – The Missing Trillions of Hydrogen

● Michael Liebreich – The Pragmatic Climate Reset (Part I & II)

● Hydrogen Economy – Jeremy Rifkin (2002)

● The Future of Hydrogen – IEA report (2019)

● TNO study on hydrogen costs – https://www.tno.nl/en/newsroom/2022/03/green-hydrogen-production-costs/

● European RED III Directive – https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-directive-targets-and-rules_en

● Porsche synthetic fuels project, Chile – https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2022/company/porsche-chile-haru-oni-efuels-pilot-plant-26823.html

💬 Quote Highlights:

“Hydrogen is the Swiss Army knife of energy — there’s almost always something cheaper, safer, and more convenient.” — Michael Liebreich

“If you care about the climate, the cleanest kilo of hydrogen is the one you never make.” — Michael Liebreich

“For every $1/kg cost gap, hydrogen needs $100 billion per year in subsidies. That’s the missing trillions.” — Michael Liebreich

“Politicians love hydrogen because it’s a get-out-of-jail-free card. But hype doesn’t change physics.” — Michael Liebreich

“Think like a tortoise, not like a hare: go steady, pragmatic, and win the race.” — Michael Liebreich

🌐 About WePlanet:

WePlanet is a global citizen and science movement challenging bad ideas and championing evidence-based solutions for climate, nature, and human development. Learn more at https://weplanet.org

📥 Join the Conversation

💬 Feedback or questions? Email: [email protected]

📩 Subscribe to new episodes: https://weplanet.org/podcast

👁️ Follow us on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/weplanetint