China, the world's largest energy consumer and biggest emitter of climate warming greenhouse gases (and not coincidentally the world's biggest coal consumer), anticipates increasing the use of natural gas in its primary energy mix  to 12% in 2030 from 8.7% in 2020. So says Zhu Xingshan, senior director, Planning Department China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) at a conference on Thursday.  Zhu added that the share of natural gas in energy consumption is expected to increase "significantly" from 2030 to 2035.

Natural gas is expected to be a key bridge fuel over the next two decades, Zhu said.

The energy giant expects coal to make up 44%, petroleum at 18%, natural gas at 12% and non-fossil fuel to make up 26% of the total energy mix in 2030.

CNPC estimates for 2060 were coal at 8%, petroleum at 6%, natural gas at 11% and non-fossil fuel at 75% of the total energy mix.