A punch in the face': Germany's dash for gas raises questions over climate targets

"The joint Dutch-German venture, which received the green light from regional authorities last month, seeks to extract 13bn cubic metres of gas from just outside a protected area at the marine border between the two countries. Campaigners have criticised the project because it will mean drill for gas more than four years after the International Energy Agency warned that new oil and gas development was incompatible with its roadmap to stop the planet heating by 1.5C (2.7F)."

"It has also frustrated residents of Borkum, the island closest to the platform, which is striving to end its own reliance on the fuel for heating by 2030. It's been seen as a punch in the face, said Jurgen Akkermann, the island's independent mayor, who is working on the geothermal energy plans. You're taking care of it, you're engaged and then you get a gas platform shoved in front of your nose."

"Europe's largest economy raced to find new gas providers after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ramping up piped supplies from Norway and building liquefied natural gas terminals at speed to import LNG from the US and elsewhere. More quietly, it has also sought to drill for more at home. This summer, a court cleared the way for an important but contested cable for the project in Borkum, Lower Saxony, while drilling began at a separate test site in Bavaria."

Tourists on the gull-shaped island in the Wadden Sea may soon see a dark metal gas platform rise near Borkum. The joint Dutch-German venture received regional approval to extract 13bn cubic metres of gas from just outside a protected marine border area. Campaigners criticised the project because it would involve drilling more than four years after the International Energy Agency warned that new oil and gas development is incompatible with limiting warming to 1.5C. Borkum residents striving to end heating reliance on gas by 2030 are frustrated. Germany accelerated new gas sourcing after Russia's 2022 invasion, increasing piped supplies from Norway, building LNG terminals, and pursuing domestic drilling; a court cleared a contested cable and drilling began at a Bavaria test site.

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