The paper gives an overview of the potential of multi-criteria assessment of hydrogen systems. With respective selection of the criteria that comprise the performance, environment and market indicators, the assessment procedure is adapted for the assessment of the selected options of the hydrogen energy systems and their comparison with new and renewable energy systems. The multi-criteria procedure is based on the sustainability index (SI) rating that is composed of a linear aggregative function of indicators, of which all have respective weight functions. The hydrogen fuel cell systems have three options, natural gas reforming, photovoltaic and wind energy systems, from which the latter two represent the renewable options. These options are evaluated with a multi-criteria method comprising the following indicators: the performance indicator, the market indicator, the environment indicator and the social indicator. An example of a multi-criteria procedure for the assessment of hydrogen systems proves that the sustainability general index (SGI) rating is an effective tool for decision making compared to single indicators evaluation. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy.