The Future of Canadian LNG: A Roadblock for Renewables?

As Asia works to transition to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, experts say plans to export massive amounts of Canadian LNG could get in the way.

Asia has ambitious climate targets that will be difficult to reach if countries continue increasing their dependence on natural gas. Solutions for Our Climate, a Seoul-based nonprofit, found that for South Korea to align with the 1.5°C warming limit, it must fully phase out gas from its electricity sector by 2036.

However, huge volumes of Canadian LNG are slated to start flowing to Asian markets as soon as next year. Projects like LNG Canada and Cedar LNG aim to ship gas from northeastern British Columbia to places like South Korea for decades to come.

If this happens, it could have serious health impacts according to analyses. The air pollution resulting from expanding LNG use across East Asia may lead to over 23,000 premature deaths by 2064.

Renewables Are The Better Choice

Rather than assisting with climate efforts, experts say ramping up Canadian LNG exports will hinder Asia’s transition away from fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind have become much cheaper than gas in many places. As Dongjae Oh of Solutions for Our Climate put it, “Increasing reliance on gas plants is bad economically.”

Countries want affordable, homegrown renewable energy, not volatile imports of Canadian LNG that lock them into decades of planet-warming emissions. Fukakusa of Friends of the Earth Japan noted, “If we build new LNG projects we lock in massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.”

The concerns from Asian energy specialists that proposed increases in shipments of Canadian LNG may discourage the region’s shift to renewable power sources at a critical time for climate action. While governments and industry tout LNG as helpful for reducing emissions, experts argue it poses serious economic and environmental risks for countries aiming to transition beyond fossil fuels.