Qatar threatens Europe with cutting off liquefied natural gas supplies
Qatar has threatened the Belgian government, represented by the European Union, with halting liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to the European continent in response to the new European law on due diligence in supply chains, which aims to combat forced labor and reduce environmental damage.
Qatar is considered one of Europe’s main suppliers of liquefied natural gas, providing between 12% and 14% of the bloc’s total needs since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
According to European law, known as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, requires large companies to develop clear plans to monitor their supply chains to ensure respect for human rights and compliance with environmental standards, including achieving net-zero emissions.
Despite the humanitarian and environmental objectives of this law, Qatar viewed it as an interference in its national sovereignty.
It considered the law’s requirements to place unrealistic pressure on companies and to impose sanctions on suppliers like Qatar without taking into account their economic and environmental conditions.
Qatar’s official response
In an official letter to the Belgian government, Qatar and QatarEnergy clarified that they have no plans to achieve carbon neutrality in the near future.
They emphasized that European law limits countries’ right to determine their own contribution to implementing the Paris Climate Agreement.
Qatar also warned that it might seek new markets outside Europe for gas exports, describing European legislation as unstable and an obstacle to attracting investment.
Qatar has called for the deletion of the climate plan clause from the law, affirming its categorical rejection of imposing standards that are incompatible with its current capabilities.
If Qatar carries out its threat to cut off gas supplies, Europe will face significant pressure on its energy security, especially since Qatari gas represents a significant portion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies and is a key source for reducing the continent’s dependence on Russian gas amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
For its part, the European Union confirmed receiving the letter and beginning to study its contents.
It noted proposals to amend the law and postpone the implementation of some of its provisions until 2028, but Qatar believes these amendments do not fully address its concerns.
