Is natural gas production off the North Sea island of Borkum compatible with the climate goals and can the project otherwise be stopped? If necessary, a court should decide.
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) sees good chances of stopping the controversial natural gas production in the North Sea off the island of Borkum in court if it is approved by the Lower Saxony authorities. “I think that after the climate protection decision of the Federal Constitutional Court two years ago, we also have a different legal situation. Climate protection is given more weight, and we hope that this argument will work,” said Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner at a protest by environmental protection associations on Friday Borkum. “I see very good opportunities there.”
Several dozen environmentalists from Germany and the Netherlands as well as Borkum islanders demonstrated on Friday morning on the west beach with banners and placards against the planned natural gas production. They criticize that natural gas production is not compatible with climate goals. They also fear environmental damage for the adjacent Unesco World Heritage Wadden Sea and the islands. In addition to environmental aid, the Bund für Natur und Umwelt (BUND) in Lower Saxony and the Clean Air Citizens’ Initiative for East Frisia also took part. At the same time there should also be a protest on the neighboring Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog.
A consortium led by the Dutch company One-Dyas plans to produce natural gas from a field off the islands of Schiermonnikoog and Borkum from the end of 2024. The area is close to the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park. Funding is to be provided in both Dutch and German sovereign areas. While natural gas production has already been approved on the Dutch side, the German authorities are still in the planning approval process. An alliance for environmental aid and the island of Borkum has already filed a lawsuit against the Dutch side’s approval.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
