Qatar threatens to stop LNG exports to EU over climate rules: Reports
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Qatar warns it may stop LNG exports to the EU over new climate rules, citing concerns about sovereignty and the Corporate Sustainability Directive.
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A gas production facility is seen at Ras Laffan, Qatar on April 4, 2009. (AP/ File Photo)
Qatar has warned it may suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European Union in response to the bloc’s climate agenda, as outlined in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Die Welt reported on Saturday.
The warning came in a letter from Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi to the Belgian government.
Al-Kaabi, who also heads QatarEnergy, cautioned that the company may seek alternative markets outside the EU if the directive’s regulations are not revised. The CSDDD mandates companies trading with the EU to scrutinize their supply chains for compliance with sustainable development goals.
"I strongly believe that companies should not be forced to choose between complying with the climate policies of their home jurisdictions and EU regulations," the minister wrote, criticizing the directive for imposing requirements that, in some respects, exceed the objectives of the Paris Agreement, arguing that it infringes on national sovereignty and the right of states to set their own climate targets.
Al-Kaabi urged EU officials to remove the provision requiring non-EU companies to adopt climate transition plans.
According to Eurostat, Qatar was the EU's third-largest LNG supplier in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 10.8% of imports. The US ranked first with 50.7%, followed by Russia at 17%. A withdrawal of Qatari and Russian LNG would leave the EU scrambling to replace over a quarter of its current LNG supply.
Under the REPowerEU plan launched in 2022, the EU aims to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027–2028 and end all Russian energy imports by the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, Moscow has warned that the West’s pivot away from Russian hydrocarbons is a strategic error. Russian officials claim that European countries will ultimately face higher prices and increased dependency, buying Russian energy indirectly through intermediaries.
Europe hits record high LNG imports
On a related note, in May, Europe set an all-time record for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, marking the third consecutive month of historic highs in purchases, TASS reported on June 2, citing Gas Infrastructure Europe.
By the end of May, LNG flows from the European terminals into the EU gas transportation system reached approximately 12.8 billion cubic meters, marking a 0.7% increase compared to April and a 38% rise relative to May 2024. The previous record of 12.7 billion cubic meters was established in April of this year.
From January to May, LNG shipments from terminals into the European gas transportation system totaled approximately 59.5 billion cubic meters, reflecting a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
According to data from the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators as of May 30, LNG supplies account for 38% of Europe's gas sources in 2025, making it the leading supply source, followed by North Sea supplies, primarily Norwegian gas, at 24.7%, while gas withdrawals from storage facilities rank third with a 17.8% share.
These figures represent a 4.3% increase compared to supplies originating from the East, which include Russian and Ukrainian gas as well as withdrawals from storage facilities in Ukraine, while gas imports from North Africa contributed 9.1% to Europe's supply mix, followed by Great Britain with 3% and Azerbaijan with 3.1%.
