Structural energy demand trends drive LNG growth projections to 2040
Original framing: “Shell says global LNG demand to rise at least 54% by 2040 - Reuters” — Reuters (via Google News)
Scientific consensus indicates that continued reliance on LNG will exacerbate climate change and delay the transition to net-zero emissions. Methane leakage from LNG infrastructure is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, yet this is often underreported in corporate projections.
Shell's projection of LNG demand growth is not a neutral forecast but a strategic narrative that aligns with entrenched energy interests.
It reflects the deep structural inertia of fossil fuel systems, supported by state subsidies, geopolitical alliances, and historical patterns of energy transition. Indigenous knowledge and cross-cultural energy models offer alternative pathways that prioritize ecological and social justice. To move toward a sustainable future, we must dismantle the power structures that enable LNG expansion and invest in decentralized, community-led energy systems. This requires not only policy change but a fundamental shift in how we conceptualize energy, land, and justice.