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World, EU, Brussels: 2024 EU Election Day 

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MethaneLNGJusticeFossil FuelsDemocracyClimate

As the sun sets on the European Parliament in Brussels on 9 June, it is the same old stone and glass building as before, but the composition of its parliamentarians has changed. While the worst results could be avoided, there is not much to celebrate.

An hour earlier that evening, we had Belgian beers and crisps as we met near the Parliament with civil society allies, moaning at the results of the EU election slowly coming in one by one on television. Overall, there were losses for the Greens in most countries, while far-right parties all across Europe were rejoicing – parties which traditionally tended to sabotage green measures, questioned climate change or at least its urgency, and had many interests in common with the fossil fuel industry.

We share worried looks. It is likely that defending the EU Green Deal achievements and policies that protect Europeans from the worst impacts of climate change and pollution will be more difficult from now on, because some of our most important allies in the EU Parliament have not been re-elected. And the French, the Austrians and the Germans among us felt guilty, feeling responsible for their compatriots: French far-right Rassemblement National and Austrian far-right FPÖ parties got more votes than any other party in these countries, and German extreme-right AfD party came in second. 

Things don’t look much better in other countries, we learn, staring spellbound at the big screen revealing election result after election result.

The small silver lining is that pro European, pro democracy parties in the EU Parliament will remain the majority, and a right-wing majority could be avoided.

So in this moment, what can we do to avoid a feeling of disappointment and anxiety creep into our bodies? First we have to keep up the spirits!

We decide to join a singing flashmob, right at the stairs of the EU Parliament, the big square of the Parliament with gigantic election posters in front of us, and the reflection of the setting sun on the glassy, enormous parliament entrance behind us.

A few steps below us, a crowd of journalists and listeners gathers as we sing ‘Ode to Joy’ – the European anthem and ‘Bella Ciao’ to underline the fact that we are all determined to continue fighting for our future. And this is what we will do, we will fight for clean air and water and against polluters’ interests that are irreconcilable with liveable conditions on earth.

Once the songs are over, and the accordion and guitar stop, people move and go home. We stand in silence, watching the last rays of sun reflect from the Parliament building. But some energetic footsteps behind us make us turn around: The lead candidate of the Belgian left labor party PTB walks energetically towards the parliament’s entrance. His party won seats in the French-speaking part of Belgium and we assume he’s ready for a proper election party in the ‘holy halls’. He disappears into the building as quickly as he appeared, and we decided to leave.

But just seconds later, we almost bump into one of the most influential men in the EU Parliament: Manfred Weber from the center-right German CSU party, who was said to become Commission President in 2019. Although the elections confirmed his party as the biggest in the EU Parliament, there is no smile on his face, as he stiffly walks past us. Dawn is breaking over the square in front of the parliament now, and over the many bars surrounding it. We hear clamoring and move closer. There is the socialist Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, surrounded by a little crowd, talking at the top of his voice. He underlines what has been said in the days ahead of the elections: he pledges non-cooperation with the far-right, and wants to uphold the European Green Deal.

We are tired. Sometimes – probably most of the time, even – all things happen at once in Brussels.

We hop on our bikes and cycle home. Tomorrow is Monday and we are ready to start working and getting ready for a new legislative period ahead.

The EU’s Methane Regulation: Promises, Pitfalls, and Fossil Fuel Industry Pushback

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Methane

On May 27, the EU Council gave its final approval to the much-anticipated EU regulation on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector. Expected to take effect by the end of June, this regulation targets methane emissions, an extremely potent greenhouse gas (GHG). The main component of fossil gas, methane, is a climate killer: If fossil gas leaks more than 3% of its methane content, it has a greater impact on the climate than coal.

While this legislation represents the EU’s first concerted effort to tackle methane emissions, both domestically and internationally, it falls short of needed action, particularly regarding fossil fuel import rules. Take a look at our analysis of the compromise agreement for further insights.

But after the adoption comes a new chapter fraught with challenges and uncertainties: implementation. The European Commission faces the task of clarifying several key aspects, including how to calculate the methane intensity of imported gas and establish “maximum methane intensity values” (i.e., an import standard). Additionally, it must determine the criteria for judging whether imported fossil fuels adhere to equivalent measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) standards as those in the EU. Questions also linger regarding data verification and potential penalties for non-compliance.

These uncertainties raise significant concerns, as they could provide opportunities for the fossil fuel industry to influence the text, given its track record of lobbying efforts to dilute the regulation. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) has already signaled its discontent, hinting at efforts to push for greater ‘flexibility’ and potentially undermine the regulation.

As a senior policy officer of the IOGP put it, “I think we need to admit that such regulations are seldom perfect from day one, and there is always room for improvement. Swift action on these improvements is essential for companies, for upstream and downstream companies, to address methane emissions efficiently and proportionately.” The clear risk is that these “improvements” will ultimately benefit only the polluting oil and gas industries.

Even before the regulation’s final approval, the fossil fuel industry was vocal about prioritizing “energy security” over stringent environmental measures. This stance, notably amplified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has served as a primary justification for the massive investments in Liquefied ‘Natural’ Gas (LNG), despite its detrimental climate impacts. This narrative has been a convenient tool to resist stronger regulations, as seen in a September 2023 letter to EU policymakers where IOGP lobbied to water down key aspects of the Methane Regulation and opposed including imported fossil fuels. This is particularly significant as the EU is one of the world’s largest fossil fuel consumers and importers, with the majority of its methane emissions linked to these imports. Yet, even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made clear in a recent report that climate action is not impacting energy security negatively. Quite the opposite, the IMF research shows how selected climate protection measures will even reverse a decade of deterioration of Europe’s energy security situation.

A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that effective methane emissions regulations could prevent significant gas resources from being wasted through flaring and leaks along the supply chain. These measures could unlock an additional 210 billion cubic meters (bcm) of fossil gas for global markets, providing more immediate relief to energy security concerns than new investments in gas supply. All this would need to be strictly coupled with an ambitious fossil fuel phase out.

This is particularly important, as oil and gas companies may seize methane emission reduction initiatives as an opportunity to perpetuate the false narrative of fossil gas being a clean energy alternative. Shell, for instance, prominently features on its website a target to “maintain methane emissions intensity below 0.2% and achieve near-zero methane emissions by 2030,” aiming to become a “net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.” While cutting methane emissions is an essential short-term goal, it clearly appears that polluters see a strategy to keep their business alive for decades to come. Moreover, the methane regulation itself lacks foresight by failing to include any reference to a fossil fuel phase-out in the long-term. 

It is therefore crucial in the coming months to remain vigilant about the implementation of the regulation, which – despite its flaws and shortcomings – is likely to face continued attacks from the fossil fuel industry. Any further weakening of the text would be devastating news for both people and the planet, sending a grim signal regarding methane emission reduction efforts in other sectors as well. Particularly concerning is the agricultural sector, responsible for over 50% of methane emissions in the EU, where a long and arduous battle lies ahead.

 

Manifesto For The 2024 EU Elections

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LNGJusticeFossil FuelsClimate

CHAMPIONING BOLD CLIMATE ACTION, SOCIAL JUSTICE & PHASE OUT FROM FOSSIL FUELS

Amidst the challenges the EU and the world are currently facing, the upcoming 2024 European elections mark a critical juncture. The past years have been marked by multiple and unprecedented crises from the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic, growing impacts of climate change, and conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, among others. All these crises have triggered a ripple effect causing a profound impact on communities, especially the most vulnerable ones, with a surge in energy poverty and a deepening of social inequalities. The upcoming EU legislators must provide concrete, just and effective responses to these crises, especially in the face of mounting Euroscepticism and the resurgence of far-right parties.

In our manifesto, there are 7 key demands for the upcoming EU lawmakers, urging them not to invest in dirty Liquefied “Natural” Gas (LNG) and fossil gas projects, but to truly commit to a 100% clean and just energy transition, away from the interests of the fossil fuel industry.

Our full manifesto is available in English here.

 

LNG Threat Map

Check out the digital version of our LNG Threat Map!

Front side: European LNG terminals, build-out plans and threat categories

Back side: European (and a small selection of international) groups opposing the LNG build-out

Liquefied ‘Natural’ Gas (LNG) is fossil gas, cooled down to -162 degrees Celsius to turn it into a liquid. This reduces its volume by a factor of about 600, making it easier to load LNG on ships and transport it across the ocean. About 42% of the gas consumed in Europe in 2023 arrived in the form of LNG, the biggest part of it was fracked US LNG. Along the entire supply chain, LNG leads to high emissions, making it a hazardous climate threat that rivals even coal in its climate impact. On top of environmental damage, LNG has severe impacts on communities both in supply countries as well as many import countries.

Find here a non-exhaustive list of groups opposing the LNG build-out in Europe and beyond, including links to their websites.

Uniting Against Fossil Capitalism: Highlights from the People’s Summit in Vienna

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JusticeFossil FuelsClimate

From March 22nd to 24th, activists and campaigners from across Europe and beyond converged in Vienna for the People’s Summit. This year’s gathering was marked by ad significant victory: The organizers of the notorious European Gas Conference, a meeting of the planet’s most egregious polluters, were forced to postpone their event indefinitely due to fears of activist actions and disruptions.

The People’s Summit brought together an inspiring group of activists, campaigners, and concerned citizens, all committed to tackling the existential threat posed by fossil gas. Food & Water Action Europe joined the summit and hosted a series of sessions. Over the course of three days, attendees engaged in a packed agenda, delving into critical topics such as the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and the proliferation of fossil gas projects all over the world, or the promotion of false solutions such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen by the fossil fuel industry. Moreover, the conference shed light on the interconnected nature of the fight against fossil capitalism, emphasizing its connections to the rise of extreme right movements, (neo-)colonialism, social injustices, militarization, and the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

The summit also aimed to expose Europe’s complicity in the global proliferation of fossil fuel infrastructure. In a bid to fortify international solidarity, the conference welcomed delegations from the United States, Canada, and Africa. These frontline community voices brought to light the deep-seated injustices perpetuated by fossil capitalism, reminding us that behind the statistics and every additional percentage of fossil fuel imports lies a human story of suffering.. The participants from British Columbia, Texas and the Niger Delta provided a stark reminder that the struggle isn’t just a choice—it’s a question of life or death. Solidarity, as they demonstrated, goes beyond mere rhetoric—it is about amplifying marginalized voices, understanding their struggles, and coming together to get ready to fight back. 

Undoubtedly, the journey towards phasing out fossil fuels and dismantling the prevailing fossil system remains arduous.

Yet, as Chloe Torres from Texas Campaign for the Environment poignantly reminded us, “We lose only when we stop trying, we only lose when we stop being unapologetic in our demands for a world free of unnecessary suffering and that for me is the world that I want to work towards“. 

Chloe’s sentiments echo a fundamental truth: The path to a sustainable and just future lies in collective action. By building bridges and joining forces, we have the capacity to overcome the fossil system, prioritizing the well-being of people and the planet over profit: a future where clean water, air, and land are accessible to all.

2023 EU LNG Terminal Utilization Rates Were Below 60%

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MethaneLNGFossil FuelsClimate

LNG moved to the spotlight in January 2024, with an important announcement by US President Joe Biden to halt all new permitting for US LNG export facilities. This ‘pause’ will give the government time to work on criteria for an assessment of this infrastructure concerning public interest, human rights and climate implications of these fossil fuel assets.

While this is a great step in the right direction, the halt is only temporary, and a host of other LNG expansion projects in the US which already have obtained permits can move ahead.

As usual, the fossil fuel industry was quick to cry ‘foul’ over the Biden administration’s plans. They claimed the announcement went too far and will create  energy security concerns. There are several arguments to refute this claim.

The most important point that big polluters want to sweep under the carpet is that fossil gas is on its way out. EU gas demand dropped by 12% compared to the 2019-21 average in 2022, and by 19% in 2023. Crucial climate and energy policies in Europe suggest a reduction of gas demand by up to 52% by 2030.

The gas demand drop needs to be made permanent and deepened further for Europe to have a chance to abide by its own climate targets and to respond to the deepening climate crisis.

Despite the drop in gas demand and the planned expansion of US export facilities, it is clear  the current import infrastructure in Europe is largely underutilized. Our analysis of data from the Aggregated LNG System Inventory (alsi.gie) suggests that in 2023, EU LNG terminals were used on average under 60% of their full capacity. 

Only four LNG terminals across the EU had average utilization over 80% (by terminals in Porto Levante – Italy, Swinoujscie – Poland, Rotterdam – The Netherlands and Krk – Croatia) in 2023, while ten terminals were used well under 60%, sometimes at only 19% (terminals in Barcelona – Spain/Catalonia and Lubmin – Germany).

The lowest country-wide LNG utilization rate can be observed in Greece and Finland (both 36% utilization rate) followed by Spain (42%). It needs to be noted that one terminal in Spain – El Musel LNG which started operations in 2023 – didn’t report any data despite having imported some shipments already. It was not included in the country’s average calculation.

In addition to the El Musel and Inkoo terminals , there are another six large scale LNG import terminals which came online since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Most of those are located in Germany (Brunsbüttel, Wilhelmshaven, Lubmin) with the country planning to build even more terminals, fueling significant protests. On top of that, average utilization in Germany stood at only 50%.

Additionally, in early February 2024, EU gas storage was still at a very high level and well above 60% on average. Energy experts suggest that even with a full cut of Russian gas and a cold winter, gas storage would still be filled at over 20% at the end of March when winter ends.

LNG infrastructure expansion on both sides of the Atlantic is not only a dangerous climate bomb – it is economically nonsensical, risking a situation in which consumers are burdened with costs for stranded assets of an unneeded oversized fossil gas grid.