Coal seam gas in the context of global energy and climate change scenarios

Coal seam gas (CSG) and other unconventional gases, such as shale gas, have been touted as delivering substantially fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal. Further, the International Energy Agency has suggested that we may be entering "a golden age of gas" in which global use of gas rises by more than 50% from 2010 levels and accounts for more than a quarter of global energy demand by 2035. The assumption is then that CSG development is desirable from the perspective of global climate change as well as energy security. This may well prove to be the case but it is nevertheless important to reflect on some of the serious concerns that have arisen both domestically and in the United States with regard to unconventional gases. Consequently, various levels of government and agencies both in Australia and the United States are currently finding ways of responding to, and dealing with, some of the impacts of these gases.