A reliable supply of energy is crucial for economic growth. This is especially evident in emerging economies such as China, India or Brazil, where energy consumption is increasing at a particularly rapid rate. At the same time, however, fossil-fuel-based greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) are continuing to exacerbate global warming. Consequently, one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century lies in meeting increasing energy needs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This global megatrend towards a low-carbon economy represents a massive growth opportunity for Linde, as our technologies and processes can help align these seemingly conflicting objectives. Our natural gas liquefaction plant at Hammerfest, Norway, is a prominent example of our activities in this area.