Decarbonisation of heat in Europe: implications for natural gas demand
Decarbonization of energy systems has become a key topic in Europe as both the European Union and individual member states attempt to achieve goals set out at the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris. So far, the electricity sector has been the main focus of low-carbon policies, but if Europe is to meet its objectives, efforts will need to expand to other sectors, including the heating and cooling sector, the region’s largest single energy user (about 50 per cent of its final energy demand). About two-thirds of final energy demand still comes from the direct combustion of fossil fuels (oil, coal, or natural gas) and about 40 per cent from natural gas alone. Decarbonizing the heating sector will probably take longer than many anticipate and will necessitate additional measures. However, if the gas industry in its current form is to have a long-term future beyond the end of the next decade, it needs to consider potential changes, such as interaction and collaboration with the electricity sector and the use of hydrogen and biogas.
Honoré, A. (2018). Decarbonisation of heat in Europe: implications for natural gas demand, European Energy Innovation.
