99% of the natural gas burned in Spain comes from fossil sources, just like coal or oil. Despite its name, natural gas is neither clean nor sustainable: it consists of about 90% methane, a greenhouse gas that, in the short term, can warm the atmosphere up to 100 times more than CO₂.

Several studies analysing the full life cycle of natural gas –from extraction to combustion– conclude that its climate impact may be even worse than coal. Furthermore, it is estimated that at least 30% of natural gas comes from fracking, a highly damaging technique that causes irreversible contamination of aquifers and air, with serious health and environmental consequences.

“Green” gas? Misleading advertising

In cities like Barcelona, more and more cars, buses and trucks are marketed as “green” because they run on natural gas. But this is just greenwashing. Beyond its climate impact, burning natural gas in urban areas poses serious health risks.

It has been shown that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from gas trucks can be as high as those from diesel. Likewise, emissions of fine particles, sulfur compounds and other pollutants remain significant, harming especially the lungs of children, the elderly, and vulnerable communities.

A barrier to a just transition

Every gas-powered bus, truck or car ties us to a polluting, expensive and globally unjust infrastructure. Far from being a bridge to clean energy, natural gas blocks decarbonization, sustains extractive systems, and delays real solutions.

Natural gas is not part of the solution. It’s methane with marketing.