Global natural gas demand will snap back from low 2020 pandemic levels, driven largely by a global economic recovery and industrial growth in Asia-Pacific countries, and this trend could imperil climate goals, the International Energy Agency said in a report issued July 5.

"Unless major policy changes to curb global gas consumption are introduced, demand is set to keep growing in the coming years, albeit at a slower pace, to reach nearly 4,300 [billion cubic meters] by 2024, a 7% rise from pre-Covid levels," the IEA said in the report.