Qatar has reportedly warned European nations that it may halt gas deliveries if the European Union does not revise certain provisions within its proposed supply chain due diligence directive. The warning, conveyed in a formal letter, details specific alterations sought to the directive and threatens a shift towards alternative markets.
According to a report in “Welt am Sonntag” the letter, penned by Qatar’s Minister of Energy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi and sent in May to multiple European governments, including Belgium, explicitly states that Qatar and QatarEnergy will “seriously consider alternative markets outside the EU” for its liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other products if necessary. The EU Commission has confirmed receipt of the communication.
The core of Qatar’s concern centers on Article 22 of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which the letter characterizes as containing “obvious inconsistencies and tensions” with Qatari laws and standards. The letter argues that the directive, which compels companies outside the EU to implement climate transition plans exceeding the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, undermines national sovereignty and restricts countries’ ability to establish their own climate protection targets.
Eurostat data indicates that Qatar supplied 10.8% of Europe’s LNG needs in the first quarter of this year, making it the third-largest supplier behind Russia (17%) and the United States (50.7%). The potential loss of Qatari gas deliveries would significantly complicate the EU’s plans to impose sanctions on Russian gas, currently slated for implementation by 2028.
The German government has declined to comment directly on the correspondence, stating it does not typically address confidential communications with other nations. The situation presents a complex challenge for the EU as it navigates its energy security needs and commitment to corporate sustainability due diligence.
