Qatar threatens to halt LNG exports to EU over climate rules clash

Qatar has warned that it may entirely halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to the European Union if the European Commission refuses to amend key climate provisions in its proposed supply chain directive.

This warning was reported by Welt am Sonntag, which cited a letter from Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, per Caliber.Az.

In a four-page letter dated May 21 and addressed to the Belgian government, al-Kaabi issued a direct warning, stating that unless further revisions are made to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), “Qatar and QatarEnergy will have to seriously consider shifting LNG and other exports to markets outside the EU that offer a more predictable and business-friendly environment.”

Al-Kaabi specifically criticised Article 22 of the directive, which outlines climate protection requirements, calling it incompatible with Qatar’s domestic legal and regulatory framework. He argued that the article presents “clear inconsistencies and contradictions” with Qatar’s existing laws and standards.

The Qatari minister further stated that the European Union is disregarding each nation’s sovereign right to determine its own climate goals, as guaranteed under the Paris Climate Agreement.

He warned that the inclusion of “heavy fines, sanctions, and civil liability for non-compliance with Article 22” poses a serious risk to QatarEnergy’s ability to maintain LNG and other energy deliveries to the European market.

According to Welt am Sonntag, al-Kaabi’s letter was not only sent to Belgium but also circulated to several other EU member states. While the European Union has set a target to reach climate neutrality by 2050, this goal is not specified within the terms of the Paris Agreement.

In his letter, al-Kaabi concluded, “I am firmly convinced that no company should be forced to choose between adhering to its own country's climate policy and complying with EU regulations.”

By Tamilla Hasanova