Fueling the Fire: The underestimated impact of fossil gas on global warming

The Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, Deutsche Umwelthilfe and Food & Water Action Europe are organizing an online debate series “Fueling the Fire: Fracking, Plastics, Methane Emissions and the Gas Lobby”.

• Web conference 1: 7 May 2020
• Web conference 2: 13 May 2020
   

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

Speakers:

• Prof. Robert Howarth, Cornell University (USA)
• Dr. Ingrid Nestle, MP, B90/Grüne (Greens)
• Dr. Lukas Köhler, MP, FDP (Liberals)
• Lorenz Gösta Beutin, MP, Linke (Left)
• SPD (Social Democrats) and CDU/CSU (Christian Democrats) angefragt
• Lili Fuhr, Heinrich Böll Foundation

Simultaneous interpretation (German/English) will be provided.

The impact of methane leakages from oil and gas production on our climate has been underestimated. Assessing them correctly is crucial when deciding on the role of fossil gas in our future energy system. Methane leaks occur along the entire value chain of fossil gas. Data from independent measurements is in most cases not available. Measurements done by the oil and gas industry mostly serve the purpose of safety, not environmental impact. Prof. Robert Howarth is one of the leading international methane experts and analysed the cause of increasing methane emissions in the US oil and gas industry and relates them directly to fracking. Meanwhile, new fossil infrastructure projects in Germany and Europe such as new LNG-terminals and pipelines will foster more imports of fossil gas, including from the US. Reaching climate targets, transitioning to a fossil-free energy system and providing sustainable energy for all need to be the priority for European and global energy policies but continue to be challenged by the fossil gas lobby.

This web conference will provide the best available scientific information as well as room for debate and exchange on the global warming potential of fossil gas and necessary steps in light of climate targets and energy transition plans. Prof. Robert Howarth from Cornell University, leading researcher in the field, will deliver scientific input. Representatives from politics, industry and NGOs are asked to comment.

Agenda and speakers 

• 4:00 pm Welcoming words, Lili Fuhr, Heinrich-Böll-Foundation
• 4:05 pm Input on methane emissions, Prof. Robert Howarth, Cornell University
• 4:25 pm Moderated discussion with MPs:
  • Dr. Ingrid Nestle, B90/Grüne (Greens)
  • Dr. Lukas Köhler, FDP (Liberals)
  • Lorenz Gösta Beutin, Linke (Left)
  • SPD (Social Democrats) and CDU/CSU (Christian Democrats) pending
• 4:50 pm Q & A session

Registration: Please register via this link only.

You will then receive access to the web conference by email.

The first web conference Fracking, plastics and the climate - the still widely unknown nexus and its implications for the European Green Deal will take place on 7 May, 4-6pm CEST. You can register for it via this link.