Methane leaks could negate climate benefits of US natural gas boom: report [View all]

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jun/04/methane-leaks-negate-climate-benefits-gas


There is also a growing body of evidence that the release of methane gas from well sites and pipelines is far higher than previously thought. Photograph: Daniel Acker/Getty Images


Methane leaks could undo the climate change benefits of America's natural gas boom, a new report said on Tuesday.

The report, produced by the Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), said America's shift from coal to gas had produced important climate gains.

Carbon dioxide emissions fell last year to their lowest point since 1994, according to the Department of Energy. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions were 12% below 2005 levels.

But the report said those reductions were not enough, on their own, to escape the most catastrophic consequences of climate change.