As the leaders and stakeholders of the hydrogen sector gather for the start of the European Hydrogen Week, a clear, unified message will cut through the noise: Hydrogen is Europe’s path to resilience. Europe finds itself at a geopolitical turning point. The war in Ukraine, trade frictions with global partners, and the approval of the new tariff deal with the United States all underline the urgency for energy autonomy. As President von der Leyen emphasised in her 2025 State of the Union speech, Europe must rely more on home-grown energy, produced and utilised effectively within the EU.

Hydrogen is not just a climate instrument – it is a resilience instrument. It enables Europe to store renewable energy, secure industrial competitiveness, and reduce dependence on external suppliers. For this reason, the European Hydrogen Week 2025 will highlight the importance of a hydrogen-based resilience strategy to an autonomous Europe.

In order to achieve this, four strategic pillars are necessary:

1. Regulatory simplification and investment security “Resilience begins with trust: investors need clear, simple, and lasting rules.” – Werner Ponikwar, CEO, thyssenkrupp nucera

2. Lead markets to drive demand “Resilience requires markets: Europe should seize this opportunity and create demand in core industries.” – Sopna Sury, Chair, Hydrogen Europe & COO Hydrogen, RWE Generation

3. Mobility and infrastructure “Resilience requires infrastructure: Europe must now scale pilot projects along the entire value chain, from hydrogen production to transport and refueling stations.” – Karin Rådström, CEO, Daimler Truck

4. Resilience strategy and energy sovereignty “Resilience is sovereignty: Europe must produce, store, and refine much of its own fuels while strengthening strategic partnerships to diversify its energy imports.” – Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO, Hydrogen Europe.

Together, these four pillars must form the foundation of a new European Hydrogen Strategy focused on Resilience First. We cannot wait until the end of 2026 to adopt this strategy.

The European Court of Auditors report recommended a new strategy by end of 2025; it should be launched in early 2026 latest, with Cyprus and Ireland using their Presidencies to ensure adoption. Urgent action is required now if we want to enable a sustainable, resilient, and decarbonised economy. By simplifying the rules, creating lead markets, and securing funding, in line with the recommendations of the Draghi report, we can and will build sovereignty in a sustainable Europe. Resilience is not optional. It is Europe’s strategic imperative.