From Coal to Natural Gas
Natural gas will therefore serve as a critical solution needed today to transition toward a more sustainable global energy system. Although burning natural gas releases greenhouse gases, it produces significantly fewer CO₂ emissions and air pollutants compared to the fuels it replaces, such as coal.
Most of the natural gas and coal used today is utilized for electricity generation and as a heat source for industrial processes. According to the IEA, coal-fired power plants currently provide about one-third of the world’s electricity needs and will continue to do so until newer technologies are widely available. However, switching from coal to gas for electricity generation can already achieve a 50% reduction in emissions while also significantly improving air quality.
Additionally, natural gas can help reduce emissions in sectors where transitioning to sustainable alternatives is more challenging. For instance, it can play a key role in the industrial sector by substantially reducing emissions in production processes when switching from coal to gas. Furthermore, natural gas is expected to be used as a more sustainable fuel in road transport and shipping, diversifying the energy mix within these sectors.
Focus on All Aspects of Sustainability
Count Westgass, part of the First Dutch family of companies, supplies the European market and the United Kingdom with natural gas from Norway. As the world’s third-largest gas exporter, Norway is known for its strict regulations and industry-leading flaring intensity figures. Flaring is a necessary process in gas extraction for safety reasons, where flammable gases that would otherwise enter the atmosphere are burned off. However, this process is also responsible for about 2% of global methane emissions. Since methane emissions are the second-largest cause of global warming, it is critical to minimize them.
Count Westgass actively collaborates with its Norwegian suppliers to reduce methane leakage and minimize the environmental impact of gas extraction. Through these partnerships, Count can offer its customers natural gas that genuinely considers all sustainability aspects throughout the extraction and treatment process.