Here we provide backgound on the future of gas in the EU.
Key messages
- Demand for fossil gas in Europe will decline steeply over the next two decades if the EU sticks to its policies to avoid dangerous climate change and transition to a clean energy system.
- New forms of gaseous energy carriers (hydrogen, biomethane) have a role to play but are far from a silver bullet: they will likely be expensive and scarce for at least another two decades while decisions over gas infrastructure need to be taken now.
- Cleaner and cheaper alternatives, like batteries and storage technologies, are already undercutting demand for fossil gas in the power sector.
- New investments in gas infrastructure in Europe are at risk of not recovering their value before the end of their economic lifetime.
- Europe needs to start planning its transition out of fossil gas now to protect consumers and choose the most efficient pathway to a climate-neutral society.
View our full fact sheet, Deep Decarbonisation and the Future of gas in the EU here.
