Robert Habeck said Germany should limit its use of natural gas for electricity, after Russian oil company Gazprom announced it would cut supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, apparently for technical reasons. The situation is forcing the government to burn more coal, which emits twice as much carbon dioxide, which heats the climate from gas, for a “transitional period,” Habeck said. “This is bitter, but it is simply necessary in this situation to reduce the use of natural gas,” said Habeck, of the Greens’ environmental party. The government is also offering incentives to businesses to limit their use of gas, planning to divert backup fuel to fill storage facilities ahead of next winter – the “highest priority”. “Obviously, the strategy of (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is to upset us by raising the price and dividing us,” Habeck said. “We will not let that happen.” Germany, like many European Union countries and the United Kingdom, has been burning more and more imported gas in recent decades as a cleaner alternative to coal. Many of these countries have now signaled that they will burn more coal in an effort to stem cash flow to Moscow and boost energy security in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The United Kingdom has extended the life of a coal plant to support energy security, despite pressure from other countries last year to “turn coal into history”. “Countries are making tough, urgent decisions in a state of emergency,” said Dave Jones of the Ember Climate Reservoir. Mr Jones called Germany’s decision to increase coal energy once again an “emergency response, but hopefully short-term”. “In the future, governments need to focus on how to reduce gas demand,” he said. So far, their response has focused on doubling the construction of wind and solar power to generate electricity, but they will need “rapid action for all sectors that use gas,” such as heavy industry and heating, he added. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:36 As leaders warn of the danger of expanding fossil fuel use, Michael Reagan, head of the US Environmental Protection Agency, speaks to Sky News. Germany, a longtime heavy user of Russian gas, began cutting imports after the recent invasion of Ukraine. Its climate target for phasing out coal by 2030 remains in place, as does its policy of shutting down its three remaining nuclear power plants by 2023. Berlin also plans to expand energy production from renewable sources – already one of the most ambitious countries – and improve gas storage and energy efficiency measures. “Security of supply is guaranteed at the moment, but the situation is serious,” Habeck said. However, Germany says Russian gas will be needed for a while longer until alternative energy sources are available, such as imported LNG. Watch the Daily Climate Show at 15:30 Monday through Friday on Sky News, the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter. The show explores how global warming is changing our landscape and highlighting solutions to the crisis.
