EnergyU.S. shale gas drives up coal exports – and CO2 emissions

Published 29 October 2012

U.S. CO2 emissions from domestic energy have declined by 8.6 percent since a peak in 2005, the equivalent of 1.4 percent per year; researchers warn, however, that more than half of the recent emissions reductions in the power sector may be displaced overseas by the trade in coal

U.S. CO2 emissions from domestic energy have declined by 8.6 percent since a peak in 2005, the equivalent of 1.4 percent per year.

Researchers warn, however, that more than half of the recent emissions reductions in the power sector may be displaced overseas by the trade in coal.

Dr. John Broderick, lead author on the report from the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research, a research cooperative of several leading U.K. universities, comments: “Research papers and newspaper column inches have focused on the relative emissions from coal and gas.

“However, it is the total quantity of CO2 from the energy system that matters to the climate. Despite lower-carbon rhetoric, shale gas is still a carbon intensive energy source. We must seriously consider whether a so-called “golden age” would be little more than a gilded cage, locking us into a high-carbon future.”

Professor Kevin Anderson of the Tyndall Center notes: “Since 2008 when the shale gas supply became significant, there has been a large increase in U.S. coal exports. This increases global emissions as the U.K., Europe and Asia are burning the coal instead. Earlier Tyndall analysis suggests that the role for gas in a low carbon transition is extremely limited, with shale gas potentially diverting substantial funds away from genuinely low and zero carbon alternatives.”

A University of Manchester release reports that This cooperative-commissioned report, “Has U.S. Shale Gas Reduced CO2 Emissions?” is the third on shale gas from the Tyndall Center, and builds on several years of research and submissions to the United Kingdom and European Parliaments as well as the International Energy Agency.

Chris Shearlock, sustainable development manager at the cooperative, said: “The proponents of shale gas have always claimed that it is a lower carbon alternative to coal. However, this is only true if the coal it displaces remains in the ground and isn’t just burnt elsewhere. Without a cap on global carbon emissions, shale gas is burnt in addition to other fossil fuels, increasing total emissions.”