Colombia is pushing the use of natural gas "for an energy transition that balances environmental protection with energy security" during the UN Cop 31 climate summit, its environment ministry said.
According to the Colombian natural gas association Naturgas' 2025 Carbon Footprint Report, the country's gas industry produced 1.86mn metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2025, a 35pc drop from 1.86mn tCO2e in 2022. Natural gas usage alone avoided 19.67mn tCO2e in 2025 by replacing coal, diesel, fuel oil, gasoline and LPG in thermal power generation, industry, households and transport, the report shows.
Colombia is facing dwindling gas reserves and a potential gas shortfall. Naturgas estimates a national shortfall of around 190mn cf/d in 2026, up from 50mn cf/d in 2025. Proven gas reserves currently stand at 1.717 Tcf, a lifespan of 5.9 years, a recent study by energy think tank the regional center for energy studies Cree showed.
Climate minister Fabio Arjona argued that Colombia's loss of gas self-sufficiency came due to decisions by the past federal administration that "pushed part of its industry toward more polluting fuels and raised national emissions".
Previous president Gustavo Petro — whose term ended on 7 August — vowed to wean the country off fossil fuels, halting the issuance of new oil and gas exploration contracts. During his presidency, Colombia took the international lead on talks on the topic, including hosting a transition summit in April. But current president Abelardo de la Espriella has taken a different stance, seeking to restart exploration. He has also pledged to authorize hydraulic fracturing — banned under Petro — to increase gas production and reduce rising gas imports.
Colombia's newly-elected government has already advanced measures to improve natural gas availability, including a 58mn cf/d increase in capacity at the Spec port and progress in the Komodo project, an ultra-deepwater offshore exploration project in the country's Caribbean waters, Arjona said.
Brazilian state-controlled Petrobras also has a gas project in Colombia's Caribbean deep waters.
Colombia is not the only country to push gas usage as an energy transition measure. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese in September said his country's "ambitious" climate target is "achievable" thanks to its "abundant renewable potential firmed by gas". Nigeria's nationally determined contribution (NDC) — or climate plan — reiterates its reliance on oil and gas, which account for two-thirds of government revenue and 90pc of foreign exchange earnings. The country expects the sector to grow, while "adopting sustainability measures" such as phasing out routine flaring and cutting fugitive emissions.
"Natural gas use will be boosted, serving as a key transition fuel in Nigeria's move towards increased adoption of renewable energy," the NDC said.
