Hydrogen, a versatile and energy-dense fuel, is key to a low-carbon future. China aims for hydrogen to comprise over 10% of its energy supply by 2050 as part of its 2060 carbon neutrality goals. Platinum, a critical bottleneck for green-hydrogen infrastructure, is used as a catalyst in water electrolysis and hydrogen-fuel cells. As the world's largest platinum consumer, China relies on overseas sources for over 95%, making its hydrogen industry vulnerable to supply disruptions. Hence, jointly assessing platinum supply chains, hydrogen energy industrial chains, and climate targets is crucial for understanding challenges and mitigating risk. In a study published in PNAS Nexus, a research team led by Prof. Wei-Qiang Chen from the Institute of Urban Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences mapped out the potential pathways of China’s hydrogen-fuel industry, charting its course toward CN, from fuel generation to final use. They employed an integrated assessment model to explore the nexus of platinum circular economy, hydrogen pathways and China’s carbon neutrality. The results indicate that the booming hydrogen development would drive China’s cumulative demand for platinum metal to reach 4,200–5,000 tons. Much of this demand, met through a limited supply pattern, is vulnerable to price volatility and heightened geopolitical risks, which can be mitigated through circular economy strategies. Consequently, a coordinated approach to leverage both global sustainable platinum sourcing and a robust domestic platinum circular economy is imperative for ensuring cost-effective hydrogen production, aligned with a climate-safe future. This work deeply analyzed the dynamic interlinkage between platinum supply challenges, hydrogen development pathways, and climate targets in China, and underscored the platinum circular economy potential in mitigating price volatility and significant geopolitical risks.