Ambiguities dull lustre of carbon-neutral LNG
The complexity and cost of pricing carbon emissions from LNG’s full lifecycle will likely deter adoption—so a narrower approach may work better
Sales of so-called carbon-neutral LNG cargoes may have created positive PR for the companies involved. But it remains an amorphous term with no industry consensus about how to measure emissions or quantify offsets. Carbon-neutral LNG can involve engineering improvements to lessen carbon intensity and methane losses, carbon capture and storage, and reduced flaring. Other strategies include using renewable power, switching to biomethane as a feedstock, and upgrading ships and engines to make them more fuel-efficient. But, more commonly, not much changes from an operational viewpoint, with industry players instead buying carbon offset credits. Proponents argue offset credits measure and certify
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