The main methanol uses are as a petrochemicals building block, as a shipping fuel, and for fuel cells for road vehicles. Methanol is one of the four critical basic chemicals alongside - ethylene, propylene, and ammonia - used to produce all other chemical products.

This is why the long-term view of this may be necessary-- we have plenty of alternatives for decarbonizing power and personal transportation, but the options for things like shipping and industry aren't as plentiful. While this may be earlier in the development, it's further along than other options of removing emissions from those economically critical areas, which are likely to be the last areas of the economy to be successfully decarbonized