Introduction:
Recently the debate about the role that natural gas should or could have in the transition to a low carbon economy has raged in line with the high likelihood it will be included in the EU Taxonomy.
Gas is one of the Sustainable Finance and transition chestnuts that just keeps giving.
We seek to list the plus and minus aspects of Gas, to demystify this and give our bottom line.
We weren’t on the gas when we wrote this (apart from the old helium inhale) but we believe some of the debate has definitely been on the gas.
Just like a good methane leak: you can smell the cheese but don’t know where to eat it. 
Pros and Cons of Natural Gas:
In the table below we summarise the 9 advantages and drawbacks of natural gas playing its part in the principle challenge of moving to a low carbon future.
Conclusion and Future Developments:
In our view gas is not “green” but transition.
It could work for a relatively short period i.e. in shipping where there are limited substitutes. However if we aren’t careful it’s a bridge to nowhere. The curves to decrease emissions are too steep/great and gas cannot reduce emissions that fast over the longer-term.
Gas is really about seeing less bad emissions in the short term, however, its not a transformation that gets us to where we need to go. Furthermore gas isn’t compatible with net zero and 1.5 degree scenarios longer term.
The promise of carbon capture is too risky and doesn’t justify increasing gas and promoting this as a good alternative to other fossil fuels.
If gas is used selectively (existing production/infrastructure only) for a short period whilst we rapidly grow our renewables and develop scalable substitutes such as in shipping, there is a role but it’s a short and supporting one at most – and not a main player.
If gas becomes a major player in transition, then we are all on the gas and may as well just eat the cheese wherever it is.
