Brussels, Belgium – January 23, 2026 — Brussels, 23 January 2026 – The European Commission has introduced a €500 million sustainable finance platform in Brussels, designed to channel investments into green bonds supporting hydrogen startups across the continent. This initiative marks a significant step forward in mobilising private capital for clean energy innovations, aligning with the EU’s ambitious climate goals under the European Green Deal.
The platform, entering its third mandate from February 2026 to the end of 2027, builds on previous successes by fostering collaboration among 28 appointed members and 16 observers from industry, civil society, academia, and public sectors. Helena Viñes Fiestas, Commissioner of the Spanish Financial Markets Authority and co-chair of the UN Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, continues as chair, bringing seasoned expertise to guide the group’s efforts. The selection process, following a July 2025 call for applications, prioritised environmental and sustainable finance knowledge, alongside geographical and gender balance, ensuring diverse perspectives drive progress.
At the heart of this platform lies a dedicated focus on pioneering green bonds tailored for hydrogen startups – emerging enterprises developing low-carbon production, storage, and distribution technologies. These bonds represent a novel financing tool, enabling investors to fund projects that contribute to the EU Taxonomy’s environmental objectives, such as climate change mitigation and sustainable use of resources. By simplifying access to capital, the platform addresses key barriers for startups, promoting scalable solutions like electrolysis for green hydrogen and advanced fuel cell systems.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services, highlighted the platform’s potential during the announcement on 21 January. “This new mandate equips the Platform on Sustainable Finance to streamline the EU Taxonomy and broader sustainable finance tools, enhancing clarity and usability while upholding high standards,” she stated. “The aim is to integrate sustainable finance seamlessly into the real economy, bolstering Europe’s transition, investment flows, and competitiveness.”
A core priority involves revising technical screening criteria for existing activities, with updated Delegated Acts slated for adoption later in 2026. These refinements promise to make compliance more straightforward for businesses, reducing administrative burdens and encouraging wider adoption. The platform will also develop criteria for new economic activities across all six environmental goals, responding to sector demands and integrating hydrogen innovations into the framework.
Hydrogen startups stand to benefit immensely. For instance, the platform plans to establish ad-hoc workstreams led by project rapporteurs, targeting hydrogen-specific challenges like supply chain resilience and cross-border infrastructure. Early work includes monitoring capital flows into sustainable investments at EU and member state levels, with initial reports expected by mid-2026. This data-driven approach will highlight success stories, such as pilot projects in the Netherlands and Germany already scaling green hydrogen for industrial applications.
Stakeholder engagement remains central, with mechanisms like the Stakeholder Request process ensuring ongoing input. The kick-off meeting, set for 11 February in Brussels, will unite members including experts from Generali, Mirova, Deutsche Bank, and Climate & Company CEO Ingmar Juergens, alongside representatives from WWF. This collaborative structure, featuring plenary sessions and targeted groups, fosters innovative ideas, such as blending green bonds with transition finance to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in hydrogen value chains.
The platform’s efforts extend to enhancing the overall usability of sustainable finance tools, in line with the EU’s simplification agenda. By making the Taxonomy more accessible, it paves the way for €500 million in targeted funding, drawn from public-private partnerships and international investors keen on green hydrogen’s role in achieving 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Hydrogen, as a versatile energy carrier, promises to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking, aviation, and heavy transport, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening energy security.
Industry leaders have welcomed the move. “This platform accelerates the flow of finance to hydrogen pioneers, turning ambitious visions into tangible progress,” noted one member from the financial sector. Civil society observers praised the inclusive composition, emphasising its role in building trust and transparency.
Looking ahead, the platform’s output will inform Commission decisions on Taxonomy expansions, ensuring policies evolve with market needs. Positive developments from prior mandates, including reports on technical criteria and transition financing, underscore the platform’s track record of delivering actionable recommendations.
This Brussels-based endeavour not only pioneers green bonds for hydrogen but also exemplifies the EU’s commitment to sustainable growth. By uniting expertise and capital, it propels Europe towards a greener, more prosperous future, where innovative startups thrive and environmental objectives align with economic vitality.
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