Clarity Needed: Time to Define the Issue Accurately

Australian electrification expert Sarah Aubrey has taken to social media to expose what she describes as misleading “renewable gas” marketing campaigns by gas companies. In a recent TikTok video that has gained significant attention, Aubrey challenges the industry’s portrayal of gas as a renewable energy source.

“I think possibly one of the funniest things I’ve seen on social media over the last few weeks is ads for renewable gas,” Aubrey stated in her video on her account Electrify This. “Why is the gas industry doing this? They’re worried that lots of Australians are getting off gas.”

Aubrey, recognized as one of Australia’s leading advocates for electrification, has built a reputation helping consumers understand the environmental and health implications of gas appliances while guiding them through transitions to all-electric homes. Her work has become increasingly relevant as Australia faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint.

In her video, Aubrey emphatically debunks the concept of “renewable gas,” calling it an attempt by the industry to insert itself into the renewable energy transition despite selling a fossil fuel product. “Let’s call it what it is. It’s not natural gas. It’s primarily methane gas, which is a dirty fossil fuel,” she explains.

The health concerns associated with gas appliances form a central part of Aubrey’s message. She highlights how gas stoves and heaters can leak methane into homes, creating potential health hazards for residents. Her claims are supported by scientific research, including a 2022 study that attributed 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the United States to gas stove use.

This marketing of “renewable gas” represents a broader pattern of what environmental advocates call greenwashing – when companies present environmentally harmful products as eco-friendly options. According to recent reports, at least 137 companies are actively promoting various forms of climate disinformation, with major social media platforms like Meta, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) often amplifying these messages.

The gas industry in Australia has been particularly aggressive in its marketing as the country gradually shifts toward renewable energy sources. Australia has seen significant growth in residential solar installation and battery storage, threatening the gas industry’s traditional market share in home heating, cooking, and hot water systems.

Public response to Aubrey’s video has been supportive, with many commenters expressing disbelief at the industry’s claims. One viewer noted, “Terrible. What a contradiction and more propaganda. It’s just on such high rotation for unthinking Australians.” Another questioned the fundamental premise, asking, “How can you even renew gas?! That doesn’t make any sense.”

Energy market analysts note that while biogas (derived from organic waste) and hydrogen do represent potential alternatives to conventional natural gas, they currently constitute a tiny fraction of the gas market and face significant technical and economic hurdles before reaching mainstream adoption. Critics argue that marketing conventional gas as “renewable” misleads consumers about its environmental impact.

For her part, Aubrey continues her advocacy work through social media and other channels, arguing that complete electrification of homes offers multiple benefits: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving indoor air quality, and often reducing utility costs over time as renewable electricity becomes increasingly affordable.

As Australia continues its energy transition, the battle over messaging and consumer perception remains crucial, with experts like Aubrey playing an important role in providing counter-narratives to industry marketing campaigns.