A socio-technical review of Natural Gas: Resources, environmental and political aspects

Abstract: This report gives a general overview of the natural gas resources in the world, along with its importance as a source of producing energy, and technical uses. It also draws attention to the political issues raised by natural gas exploitation and the steps being taken to address them. It also discusses the long-term measures required to achieve net zero emissions. With enormous supplies spread across several locations, natural gas is essential to the world's energy balance. Its better burning characteristics makes it a desirable substitute for other fossil fuels, especially for the production of power, heating, and industrial activities. Economic growth and global energy security are significantly impacted by the availability of natural gas resources. However, natural gas extraction and use, raise additional environmental issues, particularly in light of its greenhouse gas emissions have been discussed. Despite producing less carbon dioxide than either coal or oil, natural gas is a significant source of methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas. So a deep dive into why methane is a stronger greenhouse gas has been presented. It is observed that the fracking, flaring and methane leaks during the mining, transportation, and storage processes are the major concerns for climate change mitigation. Furthermore, natural gas is intertwined with political issues due to its geopolitical nature and the reliance of resource-rich nations on it as a significant source of income. It is observed that geopolitical tensions and potential wars are frequently caused by disagreements over ownership, cost, and transit routes. Geopolitical stability and energy security will be impacted by a region's reliance on imported natural gas. Various mitigation measures have been proposed and implemented to tackle the environmental challenges posed by natural gas are discussed. These include improving extraction techniques such as improved drilling methods and improved leak detection systems and investing in cleaner technologies, such as carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS). Policies and rules are also being developed to encourage the use of advance energy efficiency measures and to promote the use of renewable energy sources in addition to natural gas. These measures aim to minimize the carbon footprint of natural gas and transition towards a more sustainable energy system. However, achieving long-term sustainability and net zero emissions (NZE) will require more profound transformations. To achieve NZE, EU has proposed the fit for 55 package. Some of the proposals of the fit for 55 package to achieve NZE 2030 target have been discussed. This involves developing alternative energy sources and technologies, such as renewable energy and the use of alternate fuels in various sectors. It also entails promoting energy conservation, implementing rigorous emissions regulations, fostering international cooperation, and investing in research and development for innovative solutions. Implementing all these measures ensure a sustainable and secured energy for future generations.