Press Release: GasNaturally welcomes the European Commission’s long-term climate change vision

Brussels, 29 November 2018 – Gas Naturally, the European partnership of six associations from across the whole gas value chain, comments on the Commission’s acknowledgement of the role that gas - natural, renewable and decarbonised - can and will play in the post-2030 in the energy system as we explore climate neutrality pathways to 2050.

“We welcome the Commission’s analysis that gas is a core part of all scenarios to meet the EU’s Paris Agreement objectives. Fast and affordable GHG emissions reductions are immediately achievable in industry, power generation, heating and transport by replacing higher carbon fuels, such as coal, with natural gas. In addition, CO2-neutral renewable and decarbonised gases can play a crucial role to 2050 and beyond,” said GasNaturally President, Marco Alverà.

In its vision, the Commission sets out a range of pathways for the EU, from an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Across all pathways a wide variety of gas technologies have vital roles to play, including biomethane, hydrogen, synthetic gas, carbon capture use and storage, and holistic circular economy solutions such as waste to energy production.

“The gas industry is already investing significantly in technologies with long-term CO2 reduction potential that will enable Europe to reach virtually net zero emissions. We are ready to step up our efforts and we look forward to working with policymakers to support all promising innovative gas technologies, such as natural-gas-to-hydrogen, power-to-gas, biogas/biomethane, CCS and CCU,” added Marco Alverà.

In its recently published Manifesto (link) the gas industry laid down its contribution to the EU’s climate efforts:

  • Switching to gas is enabling fast and cost-efficient GHG emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy;
  • Utilising the existing gas network as the backbone of a reliable, hybrid energy system is minimising the infrastructure costs of increasing the share of renewable energy;
  • Developing innovative renewable and low-carbon gas projects is widening the options available to consumers;
  • Improving efficiency and mitigating methane emissions is reducing the industry’s own environmental footprint.

Marco Alverà reiterated the role of affordability and innovation in the new vision: “The post-2030 framework needs to have the European consumer at its centre. In this regard, three elements will be key. Firstly, political commitment to domestic production of all EU gas resources – natural, decarbonised and renewable - will contribute to security of supply and boost growth and jobs. Secondly, electricity and gas markets should be further developed in an interlinked approach to increase the resilience of the EU energy system. Finally, the use of existing infrastructure, which enables transport, storage and distribution of all types of gases, including those produced from excess renewable electricity, will significantly lower the transition costs borne by consumers.”

Contact: Anna Dubowik, GasNaturally Coordinator anna.dubowik@gasnaturally.eu, Tel. +32 478 99 82 40