Within the research field studying environmentally assisted degradation of metals, two different research areas are considered, i.e. hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion. Different research topics are specifically considered dealing with an enhanced sustainable use of metals by studying their environmentally assisted degradation, for instance the applicability of hydrogen gas as sustainable energy carrier in the ongoing energy transition. Hydrogen will, as an energy carrier, play a key role in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in line with the ambitions described in the EU Green Deal. Profound microstructural/micromechanistic understanding is required to facilitate the hydrogen economy from a material point of view. Therefore, combined mechanical and microscopic characterization will be used.