Until the war in Ukraine, it was the dependence on Russian gas, now europe has been made blackmailable by too much liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the USA. The purchase of LNG from the USA has quadrupled since 2021 too 57 percent and could account for up to 80 percent of all LNG imports to Europe by 2030, warns the US think tank Institute for Energy Economic and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). It is “foreign policy risky and security policy dangerous that this Chancellor does not understand that independence from fossil energy is a security policy strategy for the European Union,” also said Green co-leader Katharina Dröge, directed at the German head of government Friedrich Merz (CDU).
Against the background of the Greenland threats from US President Donald trump, the second part of the customs agreement wiht Washington must be “gradually unwound,” demanded Dröge. Last summer, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured Trump of the purchase of fossil fuels such as LNG gas worth 750 billion US dollars by 2028 if he agreed to low tariffs on EU imports.
If this happens,40 percent of all EU gas imports – LNG and non-liquefied gas – would come from the USA. Though, there is currently no majority in the EU Parliament for the agreement due to Trump’s claim to Greenland, just as there is no majority for the EU-USA customs agreement.
An excessive dependence on US liquefied gas is “in contradiction to the REPowerEU plan,” emphasizes the think tank. Through diversification, reducing demand and more affordable energy prices, the EU actually wanted to improve its energy security.
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European Energy security & Diversification
Europe is actively working to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on single suppliers, especially in the wake of disruptions caused by geopolitical events. This diversification includes increasing imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),but also faces challenges related to sustainability standards and potential supply vulnerabilities.
The European Union has been pursuing a strategy of energy diversification since the russia-Ukraine war, aiming to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. This has involved seeking alternative gas supplies from countries like the United States, Qatar, Norway, and Algeria. The European Commission’s energy security strategy outlines these efforts.
In 2023, the EU significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas, but remains vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. Reuters reported in January 2024 that Russian gas imports fell dramatically, but alternative sources haven’t fully compensated for the loss, and geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks.
LNG Imports and Sustainability Concerns
LNG imports have become a critical component of Europe’s energy mix, but are subject to geopolitical leverage and debates over environmental and social standards.
The EU is a major importer of LNG, and the United States and Qatar are key suppliers. Negotiations surrounding the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) – the “Supply chain Law” mentioned in the source – have highlighted tensions between the EU’s sustainability goals and the need to secure energy supplies. The European Parliament provides information on the CSDDD, which aims to ensure companies respect human rights and the surroundings throughout their value chains.
In October 2023, the US and Qatar reportedly pressured the EU to weaken sustainability standards within the CSDDD, threatening to reduce LNG supplies if stricter requirements were maintained. Reuters reported on this diplomatic pressure, citing a joint letter expressing concerns about the impact of sustainability standards on energy affordability and reliability. As of January 20, 2026, the CSDDD has been approved in a diluted form, with some provisions removed, reflecting the compromises made during negotiations. The Council of the European Union announced the adoption of the directive.
Energy Efficiency Measures in Europe
A significant expansion of energy efficiency measures is considered crucial for enhancing European energy security and achieving climate goals, requiring coordinated action across the EU.
The EU has set ambitious energy efficiency targets as part of its climate and energy policies. The Energy Efficiency Directive as detailed on the European Commission’s website aims to deliver significant energy savings by 2030. These measures include building renovations, improvements in industrial processes, and the promotion of energy-efficient technologies.
The “repowereu” plan, launched in May 2022, further emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency as a key pillar of the EU’s response to the energy crisis. The REPowerEU plan outlines measures to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels,with a strong focus on energy savings and diversification. For example, the EU aims to renovate 35 million buildings by 2030 to improve their energy performance. The International Energy Agency (IEA) provides analysis on the EU’s building renovation wave.
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