Europe Set to Reduce Natural Gas Consumption in Coming Years

Natural gas is considered a bridging technology in the energy transition, because its combustion emits significantly less CO₂ per unit of energy than other fossil fuels such as coal and oil. At the same time, natural gas remains a fossil fuel: globally, it is responsible for the second-highest CO₂ emissions in electricity and heat generation after coal, peat, and oil shale (which are typically grouped together in emissions statistics). How will consumption of this ambivalent raw material develop in the coming years? In its latest Gas report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global natural gas consumption will increase between now and 2030, though regional differences exist. According to the IEA's forecast, the Asia-Pacific region will be the strongest growth driver, led by China, India and Southeast Asia. The IEA emphasises that rising energy demand and the replacement of coal-fired power plants will increase consumption in this region. The projection is based on current plans, prices and political conditions ("base case").

The Middle East and Africa are also expect to record an increase in natural gas consumption, primarily due to industrialisation and population growth. In OECD countries, on the other hand (especially Europe and North America), gas consumption is expected to stagnate or decline in the coming years. According to the IEA, efficiency measures, the expansion of renewable energies and climate policy are increasingly replacing fossil fuels in these regions.

Natural gas is one of the most important fossil fuels today. It is a mixture of gases with a composition of short-chain hydrocarbons that varies depending on the deposit, the majority of which is methane. Its extraction and use are closely related to petroleum, which has a similar history of origin and applications.

Find the original German version of this chart and text by Matthias Janson by clicking here.