Increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix supports achievement of EU targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while helping meet the EU’s increasing energy needs. Nord Stream is an important component of increasing gas use since the pipeline will provide a reliable additional supply of this environmentally-friendly energy source, thereby facilitating the EU’s goal to prevent climate change.

The cleanest fossil fuel
Gas burns more cleanly. Compared with coal and oil, it contains less carbon, which combines with oxygen when burned to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂). More gas means less coal and oil, and consequently, lower emissions. Until or unless renewable energy replaces all fossil fuels, natural gas will remain one of the world’s most environmentally friendly fuel.

Fossil Fuel Emission Levels
Pounds per Billion Btu of Energy Input

        Source: Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Gas as transition technology
The transition away from fossil fuels is a gradual process that will take more than a few decades. Since many environmental NGOs favour natural gas over other fossil fuels for its low environmental impact, its use is assured for many years to come as a transition technology in the conversion to sustained use of renewable energy. The Greenpeace study "Energy [R]evolution – a Sustainable World Energy Outlook," states that the electricity sector will pioneer the phase-out of fossil fuels – by 2070, over 93% of electricity will be produced from renewable energy sources, with remaining gas-fired power plants used for backup power.

EU climate protection policy
The EU's climate protection policy was firmly established by the January 2007 European Commission proposal "An Energy Policy for Europe." The proposal, which was adopted by the European Council in March 2007, is far more ambitious than Europe’s Kyoto Protocol commitment of an eight percent reduction. It is known as "20/20/20" due to the way it defines as main climate protection targets: a 20 percent drop in CO₂ emissions beneath 1990 levels, a 20 percent rise in energy efficiency, and an eventual 20 percent of all energy coming from renewable sources.

Gas helps meet emissions targets
Although 20/20/20 targets strongly favour an increase of renewables in the EU energy mix, gas remains important because overall energy consumption in the EU is expected to rise. Renewables alone will not compensate for the growth of total energy demand and the reduction of other types of energy such as nuclear. Accordingly, the share of gas in overall EU energy consumption is expected to rise, but due to the environmentally-friendly nature of gas, emissions will fall, and it will be easier for the EU to meet its targets. Nord Stream is crucial for this increase in the use of gas since it will provide a reliable supply of 55 bcm per year in addition to existing import pipelines.