To meet carbon targets we must invest in natural gas – here's why

The author contends that rebalancing the global energy mix toward natural gas, which emits less CO2 than coal, is the only realistic way to stay within the 2°C temperature limit. The text emphasizes that replacing coal—which accounts for 46% of emissions despite meeting only 29% of energy demand—with natural gas would achieve half of the necessary emission cuts. It specifically highlights the need for investment in low-carbon infrastructure in Africa, citing new gas discoveries in Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and Mozambique as opportunities to increase energy access and stability through Europe-Africa cooperation.

• The author asserts that the current national commitments following the Paris Agreement are insufficient, with the International Energy Agency projecting a 2.7°C increase in average global temperature by 2100.
• Rebalancing the energy mix toward natural gas is presented as the only realistic method to limit temperature increases to 2°C, as natural gas emits significantly less CO2 than comparable fuels. Replacing all coal with natural gas would achieve half of the required emission cuts to meet this target.
• Coal is identified as a primary driver of emissions, responsible for 46% of emissions while meeting only 29% of energy demand.
• The document advocates for the development of natural gas infrastructure in Africa to provide cleaner energy access, noting new discoveries in Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and Mozambique that could create a more integrated gas market.
• The author suggests implementing CO2 emission limits for power plants to incentivize the switch to natural gas, mentioning a debated threshold in Europe of 550 grams of CO2 per kilowatt/hour.

APA

Descalzi, C. (2017). To meet carbon targets we must invest in natural gas – here's why. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/invest-in-natural-gas-carbon-paris-agreement-cop21/

Chicago

Descalzi, Claudio. To meet carbon targets we must invest in natural gas – here's why. World Economic Forum, 2017. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/invest-in-natural-gas-carbon-paris-agreement-cop21/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Descalzi |first1=Claudio |title=To meet carbon targets we must invest in natural gas – here's why |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=23 May 2017 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/invest-in-natural-gas-carbon-paris-agreement-cop21/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{descalzi2017meet, author = {Descalzi, Claudio}, title = {{To meet carbon targets we must invest in natural gas – here's why}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2017}, month = may, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/invest-in-natural-gas-carbon-paris-agreement-cop21/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }