Leaking towards climate change: The role of natural gas supply chains in global warming

Abstract

Natural gas is being considered as a “bridging fuel” that plays a crucial role in implementing the transition to a low-carbon economy and society. This study reviews an aspect of the natural gas industry that has been neglected for far too long, in spite of the growing importance of countering global warming and climate change. Reducing methane emissions from natural gas extraction, processing, transportation and consumption is becoming a more and more important aspect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and may contribute significantly to the goals of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of 2015. The key question this study aims to answer is to what degree does a stronger emphasis on natural gas consumption contribute to the fulfilment of the climate goals of the Paris Agreement per se? Is promoting natural gas consumption really the key to avoid a climate catastrophe? Is there sufficient time left to avoid such a catastrophe?