CRU: Will Nat Gas Have a Role in Europe's Commodity Production?

The outbreak of war in Ukraine triggered an energy crisis in Europe. Gas and consequently electricity prices soared and remain high. European production of commodities such as ammonia, aluminum, and zinc which require significant energy and/or natural gas were and remain disrupted to differing degrees.

Natural gas is supposed to be a ‘transition fuel’ in the process of decarbonizing the energy system, akin to hybrid cars for tailpipe emissions. Yet the recent high price of gas has led to some gas-to-coal switching, increasing emissions.