Qatar has issued a serious warning to the European Union: it may completely suspend its exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) if certain aspects of the new EU sustainability directive are not amended. The concern centers on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which requires companies to address environmental impacts, human rights issues, and forced labor across their entire supply chains.
In a letter sent to the Belgian government on May 21, Qatar’s Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad al-Kaabi, stated that if the EU does not soften its stance, the Gulf state will be forced to redirect its gas shipments to more stable and business-friendly markets. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Qatar has become one of the cornerstones of Europe’s energy supply, accounting for between 12% and 14% of the LNG imported by the continent, making it the third-largest supplier after the United States and Australia. The EU directive imposes strict penalties, including fines of up to 5% of global revenue for companies that fail to comply with due diligence obligations in their supply chains.
The most controversial part is Article 22, which mandates that companies adopt a climate transition plan aligned with the Paris Agreement. Qatar opposes this requirement, arguing that it contradicts its national laws and sovereign climate strategies. Currently, Qatar has no concrete plans to achieve net-zero emissions. In response to concerns raised by suppliers like Qatar, the European Commission has proposed delaying the implementation of certain provisions until mid-2028 and limiting the requirement for external audits. However, Doha sees these adjustments as insufficient and has formally requested the complete removal of the climate plan article.
This situation presents a particularly delicate challenge for Europe. Since the sharp reduction of Russian gas supplies, LNG now represents more than 40% of the continent’s energy imports. Qatar is a key supplier, and any disruption in its deliveries could trigger a renewed spike in energy prices, reminiscent of the crisis experienced in 2022. Competition for LNG in the international market, particularly from Asia, further complicates the issue. Qatar’s warning underscores a fundamental conflict between the EU’s climate ambitions and the urgent need to ensure energy security. What’s at stake is not only trade interests, but also the geopolitical and economic stability of the continent.
