Policy & Politics Blog
7 June 2011
'Golden age of gas' is renewable energy's biggest threat
Gas is being heralded by as the energy of the future by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a new study. The global energy think-tank says global demand for gas could outstrip coal by 2030 and catch up with oil by 2035. This focus on gas is now emerging as one of the greatest threats to sustainable energy. I'll explain why.
As an environmentalist, I've always preferred gas to coal because of its lower carbon emissions. The dash for gas in the early 1990s was responsible for a significant cut in CO2. Gas has therefore been viewed by green groups as a transition fuel as we shift from a reliance on dirty fossil fuels towards a cleaner future powered by renewable energy.
But the advent of shale gas and the opening-up of the Arctic for gas drilling mean that many people, especially in thefossil fuel industry, see gas not as a short-term transition fuel but as providing the bulk of our energy during the 21st century.
The problem is that too much gas, especially if relatively cheap, will crowd out the more expensive renewable energy that we need if we're to cut emissions quickly enough to avoid dangerous climate change.
A recent background report for The Committee on Climate Change's said that the amount of gas-powered power plants should not increase above roughly current levels if we're to move to a high renewable power future. Even the IEA admit that a gas-dominated energy market isn't compatible with a low carbon future.
So what are the UK Government doing to prevent a dash for gas too far? Very little to date, is the truth. Their National Policy Statement on energy allows for a growth in gas. They are supporting the development of shale gas in areas like Blackpool.
It's time to put a brake on gas exploration.
Posted by Mike Childs | 07 Jun 2011 | Climate Change
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