LNG chain: Impact on the biosphere
The climate cost of chilling, shipping and leaking methane
What this tab covers Effects on human, animal, plant, fungal and microbial life and on whole ecosystems: in the short term (construction and early years), medium term (operating life) and long term (decommissioning and legacy).LNG's main biosphere effect is climate: the energy burned to liquefy and ship gas plus methane leaks along the chain. Local effects include coastal construction, seawater use at terminals and fire risk.
Upstream-to-regasification emissions of LNG imported to Germany about 18 to 28 g CO2e per MJ, against about 10 for Russian pipeline gas in one study8 Methane from natural gas operations, world, 2025 36 Mt27 Gas turbine versus electric motor drive efficiency about 35% versus about 95%24Effects over time
| Life affected | Short term | Medium term | Long term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humans18 | Large coastal construction sites, dredging and traffic | Liquefaction burns gas, adding CO2 and local air pollution; LNG is non-toxic, but a large release can ignite as a pool or vapour fire | Decommissioned plants leave industrial coastal sites |
| Animals1 | Dredging and port works disturb marine life | Little evidence of effect quantified in the sources used | Little evidence of effect |
| Plants1 | Coastal vegetation cleared for plant sites | Little evidence of effect | Little evidence of effect |
| Fungi and soil life1 | Soil sealed under plant sites | Little evidence of effect | Little evidence of effect |
| Ecosystems127 | Coastal habitat change | Whole-chain methane and CO2 warm the climate | Spilled LNG floats and evaporates rather than leaving residue on water |
How the effects are reduced
Electric drives powered by low-carbon electricity, carbon capture at liquefaction plants, low boil-off tanks and efficient dual-fuel engines cut CO2. Leak detection and repair, and measurement-based methane reporting (which the EU methane regulation would require of importers, though a delay is being negotiated) reduce methane. Siting terminals away from sensitive habitats and using closed-loop vaporisers reduce local marine effects.
Sources
- What is LNG GIIGNL, 2025
- Analysis of the greenhouse gas intensities of LNG imports to Germany (Munter and Liebich), final report ifeu for Wissenschaftsplattform Klimaschutz, 2023
- The future of LNG: electrification, innovation and efficiency ABB, 2025
- Global Methane Tracker 2026: Key findings IEA, 2026