According to the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report, global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is projected to rise from around 560 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2024 to 880 bcm in 2035, and further to 1,020 bcm by 2050. The growth is largely driven by increased power sector demand, spurred by the rapid expansion of data centres and artificial intelligence (AI).
The report also highlights that global investment in data centres could reach $580 billion in 2025, surpassing the $540 billion spent annually on oil supply worldwide if realized.
It outlines a scenario for achieving net-zero energy emissions by 2050, but warns that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C global warming limit agreed upon under the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, signed by more than 190 countries.
Greenpeace Nordic senior policy adviser Kaisa Kosonen emphasized the urgency of coordinated global action, stating:
“We need to speed up and scale up, and governments at COP30 must now agree on a global response plan to urgently bridge the 1.5°C ambition gap.”
