Critics Accuse EU of Hypocrisy as 32 New Gas Projects Backed

Critics argue that the move will keep Europe burning fossil fuels for several decades as a result of the backing.

The European commission’s proposal was supported by 443 MEPs on Wednesday, with 169 opposing and 36 abstaining. Environmental groups have since called out the EU’s ‘hypocrisy’ with regards to the climate crisis.

The infrastructure is estimated to cost around €29bn. European taxpayers will fund up to 50% of the costs for each project in accordance with the EU’s funding programme.

The projects stretch from Ireland to Croatia. A report from Artleys, the consulting firm, claims that many of these projects are ‘unnecessary’.

Environmental groups claim that the commissions’ decision-makers are heavily influenced by those lobbying in favour of gas firms.

Climate justice coordinator at Friends of the Earth Europe, Colin Roche, said: “This climate hypocrisy has to end. Following unprecedented disasters like Australia’s wildfires, history will look unkindly on those who today backed building more fossil fuel pipelines and terminals.

“A European green deal is not possible with more fossil fuels, and Europe needs to go fossil-free fast”.

Kadri Simson, European energy commissioner, urged the parliament to approve the proposal due to the fact that three-quarters of the projects were electricity-based, rather than gas-based.

MEPs had the option to either accept or reject the entirety of the list. It was the fourth list proposed by the commissioner under the ‘connecting Europe’ initiative.

“An objection to the 4th PCI [Projects of Common Interest] list would mean that the 3rd PCI list remains in force – a list with 40% more gas projects than the new list,” said Simson.

“As a consequence, key electricity interconnectors and energy transition projects such as the North Sea Wind Power Hub, new smart grid projects and new CO2 network projects would not be eligible for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility,” he added.

In reference to the EU’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Simson insisted that the new project list put together by the commission was one that “reflects the European green deal priorities”. She also highlighted the fact that funding was not guaranteed simply by being on the list.

Irish MEP from the Green Party, Ciarán Cuffe, voted against the proposal. Cuffe said: “Given the severity of the climate emergency and the little time we have left to avert climate catastrophe, it is wrong to spend more public money on fossil fuel investments.

“We are past the time to channel public money into expensive and unnecessary fossil fuel projects when Europe should be investing in energy efficiency and renewables”.