Modification of carbon electrodes with first row transition metal phthalocyanines results in the lowering of the potentials needed for water electrolysis in basic media, by 600 to 700 mV when compared to unmodified carbon electrodes. Nickel(II), cobalt(II) and iron(II) phthalocyanines show higher catalytic activity than zinc(II), manganese(II), copper(II) and metal free phthalocyanines.