Gas rated a 'trump card' in bid for greener planet

The potential environmental implications of natural gas supply and use are oulined, and possible impacts arising from exploration, production and transmission operations and the precautions taken are reviewed. The difference between natural gas combustion and the combustion of e.g. fuel oils with regard to emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and carbon dioxide is considered. The growth in the share of natural gas, and the strong commercial incentives for the gas industry to minimise any leakage of methane are discussed. (UK)