"Natural” gas is as dirty as coal
That’s the stark conclusion of a new C40 Cities report, launched ten days ago at the C40 Summit in Buenos Aires. From a carbon emissions perspective, the continued use of ‘natural’ gas is incompatible with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement and it must be rapidly phased out.
The report is essential reading. Preferring to use the term ‘fossil’ rather than ‘natural’ gas to underscore that it is a fossil fuel, the report makes clear that it is certainly not green. It has long been known that methane leaks in the extraction process add to the climate impact of fossil gas, but now, for the first time, C40 has analysed this data to show that any emissions benefit of using fossil gas over coal is negated by these leaks.
However, the report tells us much more than the climate risks of continuing to use fossil gas. It shows a path forward for cities and the world. Investments in C40 cities can create six times as many jobs and far less pollution if cities invest in renovating buildings and solar power rather than gas powered electricity. In other words, to address energy insecurity and the cost of heating, rising because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supply constraints imposed by OPEC, the best and most effective strategy is to use less energy to heat and cool buildings with a bold and comprehensive energy reduction strategy – and to use clean energy to power our buildings and societies.
In this way we will create far more good jobs while lowering emissions. In cities, energy efficiency measures and solar can create 1.7 times the amount of jobs – and save huge numbers of lives through reduced pollution, over 770,000 across C40 cities alone by 2050 (see table below).
These conclusions are critically important as the world meets at COP27 in Egypt. The host country, and 16 other gas producing countries, are attempting to promote the use of fossil gas as a transition fuel. Hint: it isn’t.
Fossil gas is not clean, and it doesn’t work as a ‘transition’ fuel. The report shows that we need to rapidly reduce fossil gas use by 30% by 2035 to remain on track for 1.5°C. The world needs to dramatically reduce emissions by 2030 – roughly halving today’s emissions – if there is to be any chance of mitigating against climate breakdown. Even then, some scientists fear we have already reached crucial tipping points. There is certainly no room to increase emissions. Using more fossil gas – anywhere – will do exactly that.
Key findings from the report:
In the COP27 news:
The UN Secretary General warned this week that we are on a ‘highway to climate hell’ at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh
C40 Mayors signed an open letter to world leaders at COP27 outlining the world’s to do list to address climate change
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach and C40 Cities to establish a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor
UN High Level Expert Group released a report at COP27 outlining recommendations to non-state actions to mitigate against greenwashing of net zero claims
What am I reading?
Economist Jim Stanford takes an in depth look at how cities can lead the jobs transition from fossil fuel jobs to clean energy jobs in the recently launched Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy. In his article, Cities can lead the energy employment transition, but they must plan for it, he argues:
Cities are well positioned to lead the process of successfully transitioning employment away from fossil fuel production and use, and toward sustainable energy systems and related products and services. Cities have more diverse and flexible labour markets. And while over half of direct fossil jobs are located in cities, the skills and qualifications associated with those urban fossil fuel positions are highly transferable to other roles. Cities will also be at the forefront of investments in public transportation, retrofitted and energy-efficient buildings, and other infrastructure, which will create many opportunities for new, sustainable work. For all these reasons, cities have the opportunity to lead a successful and fair transition in employment as the energy revolution continues. To fulfill this potential, however, that transition must be planned in advance and supported with a range of measures that assist fossil fuel workers in moving to a wide range of different alternative opportunities.
For more insights on how to do this, the article is invaluable. And I will have more in our next newsletter from the current issue of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy – and from the C40 Summit. Stay tuned!
Until next time,
