Natural gas is a bridge, not a destination
Abundant gas reserves are here to stay. But can the world afford to burn them all?
There are no longer any doubts that the world has vast untapped reserves of gas. But does it really make sense to use it all? The answer depends on whom you ask. Soaring natural gas production has been a transformative force in the US, helping to fuel an economic revival. Low-cost, cleaner burning gas, combined with wider energy efficiency initiatives, has also helped cut out more carbon-intense coal-fired power, thereby lowering the US' carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. That said, coal from the US is instead exported and burnt elsewhere, negating any net potential global emissions reduction. But as US gas prices climb again, so do emissions. Gas can be used as a bridge to a lower-carbon world
Also in this section
8 May 2024
Allowance prices rise 34% since start of year as regulator imposes tighter limits and considers reduction of free allocations
7 May 2024
Policymakers should consider backing enhanced weathering as a CDR technique with benefits to the agricultural sector
3 May 2024
Developers look to government’s forthcoming budget to restore support as industry suffers loss of momentum
1 May 2024
Abundant storage and low cost of capturing CO₂ from sharply rising gas production mean NOC’s ambitious CCUS targets look well within reach