Canada marked a major milestone in the global energy landscape this June, with the launch of its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from British Columbia to Asian markets. Supporters argue that LNG can serve as a “transition fuel,” replacing coal in countries like China and India and potentially cutting global emissions by hundreds of millions of tonnes. Industry voices and government leaders claim that, if managed efficiently, LNG could be a tool to reduce global carbon footprints, especially when paired with investments in cleaner infrastructure and methane leak prevention.
But not everyone is convinced. Climate scientists and environmental groups warn that LNG might do more harm than good. Methane—a highly potent greenhouse gas—can leak throughout the LNG supply chain, and some studies suggest LNG could actually be more polluting than coal over a 20-year period. Critics fear that continued investment in LNG locks in fossil fuel dependency, undermines global climate goals, and risks creating a new wave of high-emission projects just when the world needs to be transitioning to renewable energy. As the debate heats up, one thing is clear: the climate clock is ticking, and every energy choice matters. More