1. Fracking, Plastics, Methane Emissions and the Gas Lobby

The Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Food & Water Action Europe and the Heinrich Böll Foundation are organizing a two-part online debate series “Fracking, Plastics, Methane Emissions and the Gas Lobby”. Guest speaker will be, among others, Prof. Robert Howarth from Cornell University, USA. 

1st online debate:

Fracking, plastics and the climate - the still widely unknown nexus and its implications for the European Green Deal

Date:         Thursday, 7 May 2020 

Time:         16:00 – 18:00 CEST 

Plastics cause pollution and health concerns, but also contribute to climate change. Capitalizing on ethane derived from fracked US shale gas, petrochemical firms have teamed up with the fracking industry and have fueled the virgin plastic production at a time when we need to tackle both, the plastic and climate crisis. The first debate in this series looks at the entire life cycle of plastics, with a special focus on the upstream part of it. Why is the industry so greenhouse gas intensive? What do current supply chains mean for transatlantic relationships? What does the EU do to tackle this issue? And what are the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry?

Confirmed speakers:

•    Steven Feit, Center for International Environmental Law 
•    Andy Gheorghiu, Food and Water Action Europe
•    Von Hernandez, Break Free From Plastic
•    Martin Hojsík, MEP, Renew Europe
•    Prof. Robert Howarth, Cornell University, USA
•    Jutta Paulus, MEP, The Greens/EFA

Moderation by Lisa Kuch, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, Brussels

*Registrations open until Wednesday, 6 May 2020, 8 am CEST*

2nd online debate:

The underestimated impact of fossil gas on global warming: The important role of Germany as the EU’s largest gas market

Date:          Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Time:          16:00 – 18:00 CEST 

Reaching climate targets, transitioning to a fossil-free energy system and providing sustainable energy for all need to be the priority for policy makers, but continue to be challenged by the fossil gas lobby. Considering current and planned investments in gas infrastructure in Germany and Europe, the second debate will critically discuss the role of fossil gas in our energy system and examine the impact of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry on our climate. 

Input by Prof. Robert Howarth, Cornell University, USA
Discussion with Members of the German Bundestag

Confirmed speakers:

•    Gösta Beutin, Die Linke  
•    Dr. Lukas Köhler, FDP 
•    Dr. Ingrid Nestle, Bündnis 90/ Die Grünen 

Moderation by Lili Fuhr, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin

Simultaneous interpretation (German/English) will be provided throughout both events. 

*Registrations open until Tuesday, 12 May 2020, 8 am CEST*