For more than a century, gas has been deeply enmeshed in the Australian economy. However, as Australian households and businesses search for cheaper, cleaner and more efficient fuels, they are using less gas. Governments have largely ignored this decline, and have failed to plan for it. As a result, new problems are emerging. Australia has tough decisions to make about gas, and it needs to make them quickly, this report warns. 

The report calls on the federal and state governments to take more control of declining gas production and use, to achieve climate targets and protect users from high prices.

Key findings

• More households now leave the gas network than join it.
• The amount of gas burnt to generate electricity has been shrinking for a decade, and its role backing up renewables is small.
• Industrial use of gas is declining as manufacturing changes and businesses electrify.
• To hit net zero by 2050, gas use needs to fall faster.

The report is provided with chart data.