Insight
Shining a light on the "coal versus LNG emissions" debate
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Report summary
Several highly publicised articles and scientific papers have endeavoured to compare the life cycle emissions of LNG with those of coal when used in the power sector. Historically, the natural gas industry has clung to the assumption that replacing coal fired generation with gas/LNG was a key step towards decarbonisation of the global power sector and therefore a key positive of increased gas/LNG usage. While it has been generally accepted that the lifecycle CO2 emissions of LNG are significantly lower than those associated with coal, it is the methane emissions associated with LNG that are piquing interest and leading some commentators to conclude that power generation using LNG, and in particular US LNG given its typically significant methane footprint, may indeed be worse than using coal from an overall emissions perspective (CO2 plus methane). In this article, we leverage Wood Mackenzie's extensive and in-depth analysis to shine a light on coal and LNG emissions.
Table of contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Approach
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US LNG Emissions
- Figure 1: GHG Intensity of LNG by Region (Wellhead to LNG Loading point)
- Figure 2: Average US LNG value-chain emissions by segment into NW Europe
- Feedgas source has a significant impact on the level of methane emissions
- Figure 3: Supply composition of operational US LNG projects
- Newer technology adoption reduces liquefaction and shipping emissions in the US
- Figure 4: 2024 Propulsion type for global LNG exports (2024)
- Figure 5: 2024 Propulsion type for US volumes (2024)
- The overall lifecycle emissions associated with US LNG
- 2 more item(s)...
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Coal Emissions
- Figure 8: Average US coal value-chain emissions by segment into NW Europe
- Figure 9: Average Indonesian coal value-chain emissions by segment into China
- Fugitive methane is the main source of coal mining emissions
- The heat content of coals can vary significantly but emissions intensities are relatively similar
- The overall lifecycle emissions associated with coal
- Figure 10: Coal emissions by value-chain segment
- Figure 11: Coal emissions by emissions type
- Comparative Analysis & Conclusions
Tables and charts
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