For the short term the EU has committed to cutting its emissions to 20% below 1990 levels, whereas the European Commission proposed that the EU set itself a target of reducing emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Natural gas will play an important role in reaching these goals, but European reserves are being depleted. Meanwhile, on a global scale, resources are spread amongst all continents and remain abundant. Therefore, supplying European consumers with natural gas which is both affordable and reliable, represents a major objective. This paper describes the European natural gas market and specifically examines the role of Italy, as regards all the strategic projects that represent an important contribution for Italy, both for covering internal energy demand as well as for becoming an energy hub in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. These projects include new regasification terminals and gas pipelines between Russia and North East Italy (Southstream), between Azerbaijan and South East Italy (Trans Adriatic Pipeline, TAP), between Algeria and Sardinia (Gasdotto Algeria Sardegna Italia, GALSI), between Greece and South East Italy (IGI Poseidon).
