The IGU webcast series, expanding global gas advocacy By Dimtiri
With the IGU Webcast Live from Berlin, the IGU
remain high on the IGU agenda for 2016” Pål
Schildmeijer and
Marketing and Communications committee
said. He stated that IGU has received interest
Anette Sørum
launched IGU’s new webcast series on Thursday
from both the G20 and the IEA to advance work
Nordal
25 February. The webcast series is hosted by
to deal with this very real and critical issue.
Hansch van der Velden, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Gasunie and
Marcel Hoenderdos: move to gas by
Dimitri Schildmeijer, Managing Director at
design, not gas by default
AudienceOne. Both are members of IGU’s
Marcel Hoenderdos is a new member of the
Marketing and Communication Committee.
IGU. He is a champion for the new Dutch ‘Guild’
The series aims to feature the players and
(or G.I.L.D.E. in Dutch). The Guild engages
issues that really matter to the natural gas
NGOs including Nature & Environment, Green
industry. This first webcast included the follow
peace and Friends of the Earth NL. The initiative
ing three guests: Pål Rasmussen, IGU Secretary
is particularly important at a time when the
General; Marcel Hoenderdos, Manager Com
Netherlands has experienced a dramatic drop in
munications at the Dutch State participation
the perception of natural gas due to concerns
company EBN; and Alex Burnett, Chair of
over shale exploration and earthquakes.
the IGU Strategic Communications and Outreach Taskforce.
GILDE is a collaborative platform that allows the industry and stakeholders outside the gas industry to work together, as a group, on “What
Pål Rasmussen: clean air is a key
is the role of gas in a long-term sustainable
advocacy point
energy future?” The question mark at the end
Pål was the honorary first guest and opened his
of this sentence, Marcel explained, ensures an
remarks by indicating that the global primary
open dialogue. It emphasises the importance of
energy market share of natural gas has grown
NGOs and other stakeholders to help shape the
over the last year – after being flat for some
proposition of gas. “We believe the role of gas
years. He also noted that all current forecast
moves from ‘Gas by Default’ to ‘Gas by Design’”,
scenarios point to increased use of gas well into
he stated. And when asked whether that means
the future. Pål sees more and more signals that
that in some cases you pack up and go when
natural gas and renewables are indeed comple
there is no role for gas, Marcel said “That might
mentary partners.
well be the case in some situations – but from
Then Pål spoke about the IGU’s launch of the advocacy campaign on clean air at the COP 21
an overall energy perspective and in the long run, gas is necessary.”
UN climate conference. The launch included IGU’s release of the report Case Studies in
Alex Burnett: IGU to step up efforts on
Improving Air Quality. The report gained global
being a global voice of gas
media coverage including a timely and relevant
Alex Burnett was the last guest. He is the Chair
coverage during COP 21 in The Financial Times.
the IGU Strategic Communications and
“Urban air quality and the role of gas will
Outreach Taskforce. His task force aims to guide
76 T h e I G U w e b c a s t s e r i e s , e x p a n d i n g g l o b a l g a s a d v o c a c y
