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The Middle East has long been at the heart of the global energy story. For decades, the region's oil exports have powered the global economy and fuelled national development. But as the world moves toward decarbonisation, and as regional economies seek to diversify and future-proof themselves, energy strategies are evolving. In this new era, natural gas has emerged as a vital bridge that offers a pragmatic balance between economic development, energy security, and environmental responsibility.
While natural gas is not a permanent solution to climate change, it is a crucial part of the transition. It complements the region's broader goals such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, and Qatar's continued investment in clean LNG infrastructure. The message is clear: the Middle East can lead in both energy production and energy transformation.
A Cleaner, Scalable Option
In the global conversation on climate change and energy policy, natural gas often finds itself in an uneasy position. It is a fossil fuel, and for many, that alone is enough to dismiss it as part of the problem. But while the end goal of decarbonising our energy systems is clear, the path there is less so. The reality is that we need practical, scalable solutions today that can support our economies while we build a renewable energy future. Natural gas, for all its imperfections, remains one of those solutions.
Compared to other hydrocarbons, natural gas produces up to 50 percentage less CO₂ than coal and about 30 percentage less than oil when burned for power generation. It also emits fewer local air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. In practical terms, this means natural gas offers a way to reduce emissions immediately. For countries in the Middle East looking to lower their carbon footprint without jeopardising industrial growth, natural gas offers a viable middle ground.
The idea isn't that natural gas is "clean"; it is that it's cleaner, and it's already reducing harm while more sustainable technologies mature.
Unlocking Economic and Strategic Value
Natural gas is not only a cleaner energy source, it's an economic asset. For Middle Eastern nations rich in gas reserves, this resource represents an opportunity to diversify revenues, support local industries, and generate long-term economic resilience.
Qatar's LNG expansion is a prime example, positioning the country as a key global supplier well into the future. Meanwhile, the Eastern Mediterranean gas finds, from Egypt to Cyprus and Lebanon, are reshaping regional energy diplomacy and opening new opportunities for cooperation and trade.
In countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, increased domestic use of natural gas supports the growth of petrochemicals, manufacturing, and desalination, which are all essential to economic diversification goals.
Moreover, natural gas can enhance regional energy security, reducing reliance on imports and allowing countries to develop more self-sufficient and sustainable systems.
But Caution and Oversight Are Essential
Natural gas is not without its environmental downsides, and this is where the Middle East faces one of its biggest challenges. Methane, its primary component, is a potent greenhouse gas, far more detrimental than carbon dioxide in the short term. Methane leaks during extraction, transportation, and distribution remain a major concern. Any real support for natural gas must come with rigorous regulation and industry accountability for volumes of methane lost during the gas value chain. Such regulation is currently lacking in the Middle East when compared to standards in Europe, the United States or Australia.
Fortunately, progress is being made. Technologies to detect and plug leaks are improving, and policy is catching up. Satellite-based methane monitoring, improved infrastructure, and stricter regulation are already reducing emissions in some markets. The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), backed by several national energy companies in the region, has committed to reducing methane intensity and improving environmental performance.
More work is needed in the Middle East, and governments must remain vigilant to implementing regulations that effectively monitor and encourage control of pollutants such as methane without prohibitively escalating the capital investment needed for gas projects.
Not the End Goal—But a Smart Step Forward
Let's be clear: natural gas is not the ultimate destination. It is a stepping stone. But in the context of the Middle East's unique energy landscape, gas can be a vital part of building a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future.
Policymakers across the region recognise this. From the UAE's clean gas initiatives to Saudi Arabia's investment in gas-to-chemicals projects, there is a strong case for using gas strategically, not indefinitely, but wisely. Rather than competing with clean energy, natural gas can support it, ensuring continuity while accelerating progress.
A Pragmatic Path Forward
Natural gas is not the endgame. It's a bridge. Over time, as storage improves, as smart grids evolve, and as solar, wind, and perhaps even advanced nuclear scale up, the role of natural gas will decline. But prematurely cutting off this bridge, whether through underinvestment or political pressure, risks destabilising energy systems.
The future is green, but the path there will be complex. Natural gas, if developed responsibly and regulated rigorously, can help the region move forward, not just as an energy exporter, but as a global leader in the transition itself.
A pragmatic energy policy charts a path forward that is both ambitious and achievable. This is not a call to abandon clean energy. It's a call for realism in how we get there.
Originally published by Petroleum Economist, 17 October 2025
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