Industrial decarbonization via natural gas: A critical and systematic review of developments, socio-technical systems and policy options

Natural gas is an important and highly flexible fuel across the industry sector globally. It provides fuel and energy services for both heat and power, and is also as a key feedstock in many industrial processes. Natural gas-based industrial technologies typically have lower capital costs, operating costs, and electricity consumption than coal-based technologies. These features make natural gas preferable for industrial use as compared to other fossil fuels. However, the future of natural gas remains uncertain, especially for industry planning to be net-zero or carbon neutral by mid-century. This review addresses the role that natural gas might play in global industrial decarbonization, and how it can help decarbonize industrial processes. We undertake a comprehensive and critical review of more than 400 studies on the topic of industrial decarbonization via natural gas. The review also provides evidence of critical barriers that range from financial and infrastructural to geopolitical and governance issues along with promising avenues for future research. •Natural gas is used for industrial applications by providing heat and power, and acting as a key feedstock in many processes.•Addresses the role that natural gas might play in global industrial decarbonization.•Discusses multiple low-carbon cross cutting and transformative innovative solutions.•Identifies barriers in implementing solutions and provides financial and policy tools to accelerate decarbonization innovations using natural gas.