Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key

The analysis examines the complexities of assessing the climate impact of U.S. LNG exports, highlighting that lifecycle emissions vary significantly based on the source basin and the level of upstream and downstream mitigation. Using a case study of power generation in Vietnam, the author demonstrates that switching from coal to U.S. gas could either reduce greenhouse gas impacts by 40% or increase them by 20% depending on methane management. While U.S. EPA regulations and the Methane Emissions Reduction Program are expected to curb emissions, the document asserts that further policies and the application of carbon capture and storage are necessary for gas to remain viable in a climate-constrained world.

• The net climate impact of U.S. LNG exports is highly variable and depends on several factors, including upstream methane leakage, emissions from gasification and transport, end-use efficiency, and the specific energy source being displaced.
• A CATF analysis of a coal-to-gas displacement scenario for electricity in Vietnam shows that, depending on upstream methane management, imported gas could reduce power greenhouse gas impacts by as much as 40% or worsen them by 20%.

APA

Feldman, L. (2024). Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2024/03/catf-analysis-exported-gas-climate-impacts-complicated-focus-mitigation-key/

Chicago

Feldman, Lesley. Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://www.catf.us/2024/03/catf-analysis-exported-gas-climate-impacts-complicated-focus-mitigation-key/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Feldman |first1=Lesley |title=Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=20 March 2024 |url=https://www.catf.us/2024/03/catf-analysis-exported-gas-climate-impacts-complicated-focus-mitigation-key/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{feldman2024exported, author = {Feldman, Lesley}, title = {{Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/2024/03/catf-analysis-exported-gas-climate-impacts-complicated-focus-mitigation-key/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }