Hydrogen Law in the European Union and Europe

Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a key element of Europe’s energy transition, central to both decarbonisation and energy security. This edited volume provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of what can be called “Hydrogen Law” in the European Union and Europe, examining how law and governance are shaping the emergence of a hydrogen market.

The volume brings together leading academic and practitioner perspectives to analyse the evolving regulatory framework for hydrogen across the entire value chain, from production and certification to infrastructure, markets, public funding, and international trade. It situates hydrogen within EU energy and climate law, explores key concepts such as renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, and addresses cross-cutting issues including state aid, network regulation, planning, public participation, and justice. Combining general legal analysis with regional and comparative case studies – such as hydrogen valleys, hubs, and partnerships with third countries – the volume highlights regulatory challenges, emerging solutions, and future pathways towards a coherent European hydrogen law.

The book is aimed at scholars, policymakers, regulators, legal practitioners, and advanced students working in energy law, EU law, sustainability, and the energy transition, as well as stakeholders involved in hydrogen markets and infrastructure development.

Michael Kalis is the Deputy Scientific Director at the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy, and Mobility (IKEM, Berlin). He is also a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO), University of Greifswald, Germany.

Sirja-Leena Penttinen is an Associate Professor of Law and Sustainability Transitions at the Faculty of Law, University of Lapland, Finland. She is also a member of the Law, Technology and Sustainability Transitions (LOST) research group, and an Academy Research Fellow at the Research Council of Finland.

Kim Talus is a Professor of European Energy Law at UEF Law School, Finland. He is also a Professor of Energy Law at University of Helsinki, Finland.