Liquefied Gas Equates to Same Climate Harm as Coal, Says Ministry of Environment
In light of recent debates, the German federal government views LNG produced through fracking as a climate hazard, similar to coal, and significantly more harmful than conventional pipeline gas. This conclusion arises from a statement issued by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in response to Green Party's parliamentary group's inquiry.
The BMU asserted, "While natural gas can aid in replacing coal and oil in a transitional phase toward complete decarbonization, the climate impact must consider emissions from extraction and transportation." The BMU further noted that "fracking gas, delivered to Europe as LNG, shows minimal emission savings compared to coal and underperforms conventional pipeline gas." This revelation holds significant implications for Germany's energy policies.
Climate Concerns
Emission Overload
LNG derived from fracking could be up to 33% more damaging to the climate than coal, primarily due to methane emissions during production and transportation phases. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a stronger warming impact than carbon dioxide in short timeframes.
Construction of LNG import terminals in Germany, with a focus on U.S. imports, could lead to a staggering 870 million tons of CO2 emissions upon combustion of the gas. The heavy energy use, liquefaction, and shipping processes involved in LNG contribute significantly to its overall carbon footprint.
Indirect Climate Threats
LNG imports from fracking-based sources pose a potential risk to Germany's shift away from fossil fuels, delaying the realization of climate goals. For instance, Germany's energy sector has seen a recent inclination towards increased coal consumption, rather than an accelerated transition toward renewable energy. This trend may worsen with the import of LNG, creating a "fossil fuel lock-in."
Environmental Concerns
Fracking's Dangers
Fracking itself poses environmental threats, including water pollution, induced seismic activity, and methane leakage, leading to detrimental impacts on the climate. These risks occur upstream and affect the overall environmental footprint of LNG imports from fracking sources.
Infrastructure Hazards
LNG terminals and infrastructure development can cause local environmental impacts, such as disrupting marine habitats through heavy dredging, as seen in Arctic LNG projects, potentially threatening sturgeons and whitefish. Although similar dredging activities for LNG import terminals or shipping routes in Germany may have lesser impact, the risks cannot be ignored.
Pipeline Gas Considerations
Pipeline gas, once infrastructure is built, is typically less environmentally disruptive but may still suffer methane leaks during long-distance transport. If sourced from conventional gas fields rather than fracking, pipeline gas may have a smaller overall carbon footprint compared to LNG from fracking.
In Conclusion
Importing LNG derived from fracking could lead to significant climate impacts and environmental risks for Germany, notably higher greenhouse gas emissions, energy-intensive processes, and environmental disruption associated with LNG infrastructure. In contrast, conventional pipeline gas offers a relatively more stable supply, albeit with its own methane leakage risks, and a potentially lower carbon footprint.
This insight calls for a reconsideration of Germany's reliance on LNG imports from fracking-based sources. Instead, focusing on pipeline gas from conventional sources or accelerating the transition to renewable energy appears more fitting for achieving climate goals and safeguarding the environment.
- The BMU's statement emphasizes that natural gas, including LNG from fracking, can aid in transitioning away from coal and oil, but its climate impact should include emissions from production and transportation.
- A new report suggests that LNG derived from fracking could be up to 33% more damaging to the climate than coal, due to methane emissions during production and transportation.
- Construction of LNG import terminals in Germany, particularly for U.S. imports, could result in over 870 million tons of CO2 emissions upon combustion of the gas, exacerbating climate threats.
- Shifting towards LNG imports from fracking could potentially delay Germany's shift away from fossil fuels, worsening the trend of increased coal consumption and slowing the transition to renewable energy.
- Pipeline gas, when properly sourced, may have a smaller carbon footprint and environmental impact compared to LNG from fracking, making it more suitable for meeting climate goals and safeguarding the environment.
