Urgent Call for Fossil Fuel Ban
Greenpeace EU has released a new legal analysis advocating for a European Union-wide ban fossil fuel projects. According to the environmental organization, such a ban is both feasible and essential in the fight against climate change. The urgency of this action is underscored by recent data showing that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time in 2024.
Fossil fuels remain the primary driver of the climate crisis, responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions. A growing consensus among global institutions, including the International Energy Agency and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, emphasizes that halting new fossil fuel developments is critical to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and mitigating the most severe climate impacts.
Legal and Economic Implications
Greenpeace EU climate campaigner Thomas Gelin highlighted the contradiction between the EU’s climate commitments and its continued approval of fossil fuel projects. “Fossil fuels are the biggest contributor to climate breakdown, yet EU governments continue to approve new drilling, pipelines, and import terminals. If we want to transition to a sustainable future, we must ban fossil fuel projects that deepen the crisis.”
The legal analysis commissioned by Greenpeace asserts that the EU has both the authority and obligation to enact a ban on new fossil fuel developments. Such a measure would align with the EU’s climate commitments and human rights obligations while ensuring a collective response to the ongoing environmental crisis. The report’s release coincides with the EU’s expected update of its “nationally determined contribution” under the Paris Agreement, reinforcing the need for decisive action to limit temperature rise.
New fossil gas projects alone could cost up to €84.1 billion, potentially leading to emissions equivalent to nearly 300 coal-fired power plants. This substantial financial burden risks diverting resources away from renewable energy investments and exacerbating budgetary pressures on European governments and citizens.
Greenpeace’s Role and Outreach Efforts
As an independent global advocacy organization, Greenpeace works to drive policy changes that protect the environment, including efforts to ban fossil fuel projects. It does not accept donations from governments, businesses, or political parties, ensuring that its campaigns remain unbiased and focused on sustainability.
To enhance engagement with EU journalists, Greenpeace EU has launched a dedicated WhatsApp channel. This platform will provide timely updates, including press releases, multimedia content, and expert commentary on EU climate policies. By expanding its communication outreach, Greenpeace aims to raise awareness and mobilize support for critical environmental initiatives, including the proposed fossil fuel project ban.
With mounting evidence of the climate crisis and the economic risks associated with continued fossil fuel reliance, Greenpeace EU’s call to Ban Fossil Fuel Projects underscores the need for a decisive shift toward sustainable energy solutions. The coming months will reveal whether EU policymakers heed this call and take concrete steps to curb new fossil fuel developments.
