Title: Europe's Keystone XL: Planned gas pipeline is reckless
Headings: Europe’s Keystone XL: Planned gas pipeline is reckless
Europe’s Keystone XL: Planned gas pipeline is reckless
The Southern Gas Corridor risks locking in higher fossil fuel dependence and wasting colossal amounts of public money
By Anna Roggenbuck

Content: It is difficult to see how such long term hydrocarbons project can be in line with the international community’s commitment to achieve net zero global emissions after 2050, as also agreed in Paris. In fact, the Southern Gas Corridor would be a triple whammy. Firstly, increasing gas supply for the sake of increasing gas supply is only likely to trample the EU’s energy efficiency goals. Secondly, perpetuating the dominance of hydrocarbons in Europe’s energy mix could mean blocking the much needed expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Lastly, channelling EU funds, including from international financial institutions, to this project would significantly curtail the EU’s ability to achieve energy sovereignty in a cost-effective and sustainable way. Saudi Arabia: By 2035 we won’t depend on oil
Ultimately, going ahead with this reckless energy adventure necessarily means rejecting science. As the climate crisis unfolds, more and more studies, including analyses by the International Energy Agency, demonstrate the need to leave most of the recoverable fossil fuel reserves in the ground if we are to have any chance of averting the worst impacts of climate change. In order for the Southern Gas Corridor not to become a stranded asset – an immense waste of taxpayer money – the EU would have to scale down its climate and energy targets when it actually needs to increase them. And with a huge corporate lobby apparently having already managed to bend EU policy in favour of gas, it really is up to the European public to push back.