- Climate change advocate: Federal government to stop gas project in Borkum
Climate protectors call on the federal government to halt the gas extraction project off the North Sea island of Borkum, which has just been approved by Lower Saxony. Together, Greenpeace, Fridays for Future, and the German Environmental Aid demand that Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) put an end to the project. "If he takes climate protection seriously, he must now show his colors," said Mira Jäger of Greenpeace.
Fridays for Future activist Luisa Neubauer said the issue was not just about a single gas field, but a fundamental question in the climate crisis. Politics must show whether it stands on the side of climate goals and nature conservation or on the side of fossil corporations. "Who makes the rules for our energy transition? The profit interests of a foreign gas company or our own elected government?" asked Neubauer, threatening to bring the issue into the federal election campaign if necessary.
Environmental Aid threatens further lawsuits
In an open letter to Habeck and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Greenpeace, Environmental Aid, and other environmental organizations such as NABU, BUND, and the German Nature Conservation Association, among others, wrote that the credibility of the energy transition and German climate policy was at stake.
Environmental Aid also threatened further legal action against the gas project. "We will continue with our lawsuits," said Constantin Zerger of the association. However, courts should not be the clean-up crew for failed politics. Activist Neubauer also said she strongly disapproved of political decision-makers hiding behind court rulings.
Habeck wants to wait for court rulings
The responsible Lower Saxony state authority granted the Dutch energy company One-Dyas a permit for the controversial drilling on Wednesday, valid for 18 years. The drilling is to take place near the Wadden Sea National Park from Dutch territory under the seabed into German territory. However, an agreement between Germany and the Netherlands is still needed for the gas extraction.
Economics Minister Habeck explained that he wanted to wait for possible court decisions. Only after the relevant rulings have been made will it be decided whether the agreement with the Netherlands will be signed. The impact of the relatively small gas field on energy security or prices would be at most minimal. "And it's a very, very sensitive ecological area," said Habeck.
On Friday (12:00), Fridays for Future will demonstrate against the gas project in front of the Federal Ministry of Economics in Berlin.
The opponents argue that halting the project is essential to maintain the integrity of raw material resources, as continuing with gas extraction could expedite depletion of these resources. Environmental Aid further emphasized their stance by stating, "We cannot allow our natural resources to be exploited without considering the long-term implications on our environment and climate."
