Gas
Fossil gas supplied 23% of global electricity in 2023. It is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for 27% of power sector emissions.
Share of fossil gas in global electricity (%)
Overview
The 'golden age' of gas is over
Gas generation reached a new record high of 6,634 TWh in 2023, an increase of 0.8% from 2022. Despite the record total gas generation, the increase of 53 TWh is one of the lowest increases recorded since the turn of the century. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused global gas prices to skyrocket, revealing vulnerabilities of the global gas supply chain that prompted many countries to reconsider the role of gas in their power mix. In 2022, for the first time, the IEA said that fossil gas will plateau this decade.
The United States was responsible for a quarter of global gas generation in 2023, more than three times the second largest generator, Russia. The continued growth of fossil gas in the US singlehandedly prevented a global fall in gas generation in 2023.
According to the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario, the share of gas falls from 23% of global electricity generation in 2023 to 16% in 2030 and then further to just 2.4% in 2040.
Last updated: May 2024
The world's biggest fossil gas generators
Ember position
Fossil gas is not a bridge to a safe climate
Once seen as a bridge fuel to fill the gap whilst clean power grew, recent events have revealed the folly of relying on gas. The 2021 global gas price crisis pushed energy bills to new heights – and then in 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine, skyrocketing gas prices to truly unprecedented levels.
Burning gas produces CO2 emissions, and gas leaks during the production and transportation of the fuel are a source of a greenhouse gas even more potent in the short term, methane. But the good news is that we have cleaner and cheaper alternatives like wind and solar that can rapidly replace it.
Our analysis shows that coal and gas power can be phased-out at the same time – if the country builds enough clean power. Countries like the United Kingdom have successfully reduced their dependence on coal and gas – thanks to the build-out of technologies like offshore wind. This saves consumers money, as well as reducing exposure to volatile international imports of fuel.
