Shifting to natural gas

In an effort to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with coal-based energy production, more and more countries are turning to natural gas as an alternative energy source, leading to increased demand for natural gas. Natural gas is largely composed of methane, a climate-changing greenhouse gas, which is released during the production of natural gas and contributes to climate change. In addition, the fracking process has many negative environmental impacts, including excessive water consumption and water pollution from chemicals.

Nº 88
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Shifting to natural gas

In an effort to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with coal-based energy production, more and more countries are turning to natural gas as an alternative energy source, leading to increased demand for natural gas. Natural gas is largely composed of methane, a climate-changing greenhouse gas, which is released during the production of natural gas and contributes to climate change. In addition, the fracking process has many negative environmental impacts, including excessive water consumption and water pollution from chemicals.

In recent decades, coal has been China’s largest source of energy. To reduce air pollution and meet its climate change commitments, China has adopted a policy of switching from coal to gas. Currently, natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in China. A study of the impacts of China’s natural gas industry shows that while switching to appropriately selected natural gas sources can improve air quality and provide carbon and water co-benefits, there are trade-offs in the magnitude of the resulting improvements. In addition, synthetic natural gas production significantly increases both water stress and carbon intensity in regions (Northwest China) that already suffer from severe water scarcity and high per capita carbon intensity.

Gan, Y., El-Houjeiri, H.M., Badahdah, A. et al. (2020). Carbon footprint of global natural gas supplies to China. Nat Commun 11, 824. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14606-4

Qin, Y., Höglund-Isaksson, L., Byers, E. et al (2018). Air quality–carbon–water synergies and trade-offs in China’s natural gas industry. Nat Sustain 1, 505–511. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0136-7 

Howarth, R. W. (2014). A bridge to nowhere: methane emissions and the greenhouse gas footprint of natural gas. Energy Science & Engineering, 2(2), 47-60. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.35

Mehany, M. S. H. M., & Guggemos, A. (2015). A literature survey of the fracking economic and environmental implications in the United States. Procedia engineering, 118, 169-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.415