A new study released by API and conducted by researchers at ICF examines the environmental benefits of US natural gas use in China, Germany, and India, finding that using US liquefied natural gas (LNG) rather than coal for electricity generation produces on average 50.5 percent fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in all base case scenarios studied.
The US natural gas is a far cleaner option than coal for electricity generation, especially in key markets in China, Germany and India, API said. Environmental progress across the globe can be accelerated by US LNG exports. To address the global risks of climate change and reduce emissions, the US LNG exports enable nations to transition to cleaner natural gas.
The study in the three countries demonstrates the importance of natural gas for achieving global emissions reductions. Coal in China still makes up 66 percent of power generation. Meanwhile, it makes up nearly 30 percent in Germany and 74 percent in India. From roughly 50 percent in 2005, coal generation in the US has fallen to 24 percent in 2019. In the same period, the natural gas generation has increased to nearly 40 percent, from 19 percent.
