Italy's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and its consequent undertaking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5% with respect to 1990 levels by 2012 opened comparison on how to meet the domestic energy requirement in a sustainable manner on the one hand, and in an economically competitive manner on the other.

According to experts, one of the possible solutions for these needs is precisely natural gas. Not only is it cheaper than crude oil, whose prices have reached prohibitive proportions today, but it is also cleaner. In fact, it has been calculated that the combustion of natural gas produces roughly 25-30% fewer CO2 emissions than that of oil products, and even 40-50% fewer than burning coal.

Moreover, carbon dioxide emissions can be further reduced with the possibility of using natural gas in high-performance applications and technologies, such as condensing boilers, cogeneration plants and combined cycles for producing electricity. For example a gas-fired combined cycle unit makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions by 52% compared to a tradition fuel oil-fired traditional plant and by 62% compared to a coal-fired plant.

Precisely this could be one of the causes that has contributed to the increase in natural gas consumption during recent years. According to the latest estimates (May 2006) of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the natural gas demand of 25-member Europe should jump from about 436 billion cubic metres in 2002 to 524 billion in 2012, to then reach 633 billion in 2030, with a 2.3% average annual growth between 2002 and 2010.

However, we must not forget that natural gas can be harmful for the environment if it dissipates directly into the air because of possible leaks in the transport pipelines. In fact, the major component of natural gas is methane, one of the sadly well-known gases producing the greenhouse effect. Once they have reached the highest part of the atmosphere, these gases come to a halt and stay there for many years, preventing the heat of the sun reflected by the earth to dissipate and causing the earth's temperature to rise. This is why it is crucial that it be transported reducing its leaks to a minimum, if not totally eliminating them. However, it must be pointed out that it is an absolutely minor risk factor compared to the CO2 emission caused by burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas).

In returning to the subject of the increase of natural gas consumption recorded in Europe, it is however necessary to point out that the rising oil prices have in any case also led to a price hike of this raw material as well, which has therefore reduced - but only partially - its competitive edge.

Page updated 4 August 2011