U.S. LNG export climate footprint

Liquid natural gas (LNG) is often referred to as a bridging fuel that will support the global clean energy transition. However, estimates show that the life-cycle emissions from U.S. LNG exports may be greater than coal's. While lifecycle emissions of coal used domestically in the U.S. are around 120 g CO₂e/MJ, the total emissions of LNG imported from the U.S. on a short journey, powered by LNG is 148 g CO₂e/MJ. This is roughly 24 percent higher than coal's climate footprint. Meanwhile, the total emissions for LNG exported on long journeys powered by heavy fuel oil is even higher, at more than 300 g CO₂e/MJ. With shipments of more than 100 billion cubic meters in 2022, the U.S. is one of the world's largest exporters of LNG.

Lifecycle emissions of domestic coal and natural gas use in the United States compared with LNG exports as of 2023, by scenario (in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule)

Characteristic	Emissions in g CO₂e/MJ
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Release date

January 2024

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2023

Supplementary notes

Full lifecycle greenhouse gas footprint for coal and natural gas compared to four scenarios where LNG is transported by tankers that either burn LNG or heavy fuel oil for long or short voyages. Methane emissions are converted to carbon dioxide equivalents using GWP20.

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