UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard
The UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard for hydrogen producers to use for greenhouse gas emissions reporting, including a calculator tool.
Documents
Details
Update: January 2026
The Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard (LCHS) Version 4 incorporates updates to improve clarity, simplify processes, and reflect lessons learned from Version 3 and stakeholder feedback. These updates are:
- expanded eligibility requirements for biomethane supply, now allowing sourcing via the gas grid under a mass balance approach
- simplified material classification process for Refinery Off Gas
- new process for evidencing Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs), aligning with wider energy sector practices
- introduction of asphalt as an additional solid carbon permissible end use and clarification of requirements for gas splitting production pathways
- addition of a new section on stored feedstocks and fuels to clarify requirements for producers
- updated emissions factors, technical parameters and calculation methodologies in the Data Annex
- restructured guidance and updated terminology throughout for improved clarity
- new versions of Hydrogen Emissions Calculators (HEC) which reflect updated pathways and data
See the full update notice on page 6 of the main LCHS Standard document.
The Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard (LCHS) outlines a methodology for calculating lifecycle emissions from hydrogen production and sets compliance requirements, including a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions threshold, for hydrogen to be defined as ‘low carbon’. The LCHS aims to ensure that government-supported hydrogen production directly contributes to achieving our carbon reduction targets.
Hydrogen producers in the UK seeking to claim their hydrogen as ‘low carbon’, including for eligibility for government schemes, need to demonstrate that they have followed the LCHS and complied with its requirements.
The LCHS places requirements on hydrogen producers, including for them to:
- calculate and report their GHG emissions up to the ‘point of production’ by following the prescribed methodology
- produce hydrogen that meets a GHG emission intensity of 20g CO2e/MJLHV or less
- employ an eligible hydrogen production pathway
- set out a risk mitigation plan for fugitive hydrogen emissions and produce an annual report on these fugitive emissions
- meet additional requirements for the use of biogenic inputs, where relevant and as appropriate for the biogenic material’s source and classification
- meet the conditions of Standard Compliance as applicable to their production pathway
- have a Data Collection and Monitoring Procedure in place with the relevant Delivery Partner for the corresponding scheme applying the Standard
We expect to continue to review and update the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard, to ensure it remains fit for purpose and keeps pace with the growing hydrogen economy.
Data annex to the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard
The data annex provides data and other useful information needed to determine compliance with the GHG Emissions Intensity Threshold and other requirements within the LCHS.
The data annex is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to incorporate new industry practices, respond to changes in referenced datasets, and adopt more accurate or up-to-date sources of information.
Previous versions of the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard
Projects receiving government support should use the version of the LCHS mentioned in their specific agreement.
You can access previous versions in the zipped files under Documents.
Hydrogen Emissions Calculator
The calculator has been updated for use with the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard, Version 4, January 2026.
The Hydrogen Emissions Calculator (HEC) should be used to calculate the GHG emissions associated with a prospective hydrogen production facility to determine its likely compliance with the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.
For government schemes and policies applying the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard, the appropriate scheme guidance will confirm whether they need to use the calculator, and if necessary, how it should be used.
There are 2 versions of the calculator:
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For electrolytic projects - this streamlined version can accommodate data related to typical electrolytic hydrogen production processes (covering all types of electricity sources).
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The full version - this accommodates data related to any current eligible hydrogen production pathways as detailed in the LCHS.
Note that electrolytic projects using biogenic inputs to generate electricity must use the full version.
Calculator training videos
We have produced training videos on various aspects of using the calculator:
Updates to this page
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Version 4 of the Standard published.
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Updated Hydrogen emissions calculator (HEC) files to resolve some errors highlighted through HAR 2 applications. All applicants should use updated HEC files (version 4.8) to avoid errors.
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The Hydrogen Production Revenue Support (Directions, Eligibility and Counterparty) Regulations 2023 are now in force: we have republished the Standard to note that this version will be used for assessing eligibility under the Regulations.
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Published Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard version 3.
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We have updated the calculator files with a fix to a broken formula and minor usability improvements.
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Published calculators for use with version 2 of the Standard.
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UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard Version 2, April 2023, published.
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We expect to publish version 2 (April 2023) of the guidance and calculator for greenhouse gas emissions reporting and sustainability criteria under the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard shortly.
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Calculator files updated: minor functionality improvements and text clarifications.
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Guidance and HEC training videos updated. Clarification questions added.
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Added final 3 Hydrogen emissions calculator training videos.
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Original versions of the standard guidance and Hydrogen Emissions Calculators (HECs) updated, 1. so that the default natural gas upstream emissions factor better reflects the current composition of the UK natural gas network, 2. to improve the HEC functionality.
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Hydrogen emissions calculator training videos added.
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Added hydrogen emissions calculator. This can be used to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a prospective hydrogen production facility, and so determine its likely compliance with the Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.
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First published.