Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane, used for heating, electricity generation, and industrial processes. Compared to coal and oil, natural gas produces lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy, leading some to view it as a transition fuel in the shift to renewable energy. In Canada, natural gas heats many homes and powers some electrical generation. Provincial utilities regulate natural gas distribution, while federal and provincial governments oversee production and pipelines. Municipalities encounter natural gas through utility planning, building code requirements, climate action policies considering fuel switching, and land use decisions affecting gas infrastructure.