How does natural gas contribute to global warming?

Natural gas, primarily composed of methane, contributes to global warming as it is a potent greenhouse gas. While it produces less carbon dioxide than coal or oil when burned, methane is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere—over 25 times more so than CO2 over a 100-year period. Additionally, methane can leak during extraction, transportation, and storage, further exacerbating its impact on climate change. As a result, the increased use of natural gas can still contribute to global warming despite its relatively lower emissions.