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Protests In Berlin Against The Fossil Gas Industry As Activists Call For A Transition To Clean Energies Via No Fracking Brazil Campaign.
In 2023, the intense dispute over the fossil gas industry has intensified globally, with mining playing a central role. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) market is undergoing significant changes, pushing for the expansion of fracking in various regions. The fracking technique, used to extract fossil gas, raises heated debates, coming under the close watch of environmental activists. They highlight that fracking can pose considerable environmental risks while questioning the sustainability model of associated mining.
Recently, in October 2023, Berlin became the epicenter of protests against LNG exploitation. Local and international activists united, vigorously protesting against the industry’s continued reliance on fracking. Resistance movements demand a drastic transition to cleaner energy sources, highlighting the dangers of current extractive practices. At the same time, mining remains crucial to the industry, exerting direct influence over investment decisions.
The presence of mining leaders at fossil gas conferences signals the importance of a collaborative approach for future developments, focusing on automation and efficiency. It is evident that the mining sector wants to be seen as an ally in the quest for more sustainable energy solutions. The extractive industry continues to play a vital role in shaping future directions for fossil gas, especially in light of pressures to reduce the carbon footprint.
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Petrobras evaluates suspension of sales to distributors and considers canceling the cooking gas auction following guidelines from the Federal Government.
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Lula reveals a masterstroke by Petrobras to undo a deal made by Bolsonaro, which involves the return of an important refinery that currently produces less than half of what was expected and makes Brazil dependent on international diesel.
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A study confirms that the natural gas sector will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil by 0.5% and accelerate the energy transition by 2026.
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Petrobras implements a severe adjustment and confirms a 55% increase in the price of aviation kerosene with a proposal for installment payments for the companies.
Meanwhile, professionals in the field have been working tirelessly to find innovative solutions that balance energy demand with environmentally friendly practices. The integration of advanced technologies and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies in mining could be the necessary game-changer needed to enable a greener infrastructure. By 2025, mining is expected to be at the forefront of global energy transition initiatives, empowering the sector to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency.
Global Impact and Future Projections
Recent events indicate that mining needs to prioritize sustainability while continuing to support the fossil gas industry. Current trends show that related industries are in constant evolution, with the mining of essential minerals being part of diversification energy strategies. Experts predict that over the next two years, these sectors will need to integrate ESG practices even more deeply to meet new international and regional demands.
The source of data and recent events includes participation and reports from international conferences such as the ‘Future of Sustainable Energy’ meeting in Berlin 2023, as well as analyses from the Clean Energy Study Institute. These documents emphasize the complexity of aligning automation with energy transition within traditionally resistant sectors like mining.
Fossil Gas Industry Meeting At The World LNG Summit
Leaders from major corporations like Shell, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies are gathered for the World LNG Summit, taking place at the prestigious Hotel Adlon in Berlin until December 12. This important networking event is a key opportunity for the fossil gas industry to discuss new projects and seal new deals, focusing especially on the exploration of liquefied natural gas (LNG). While celebrating their achievements, activists from various nations and civil society organizations have organized the Gas Counter-Summit, also in Berlin. This event aims not only to halt the advancement of LNG but also to alert the global public to the devastating effects of these economic practices on the environment and society.
Gas Counter-Summit And Global Mobilization
With the participation of various representatives, the ARAYARA Institute is at the heart of the global protest called ‘Stop The Gas Lobby – FRACK OFF!’, driven by the Stop Gas Summit. ‘Participating in international mobilizations is crucial for ARAYARA to reinforce its commitment to combating the expansion of the fossil gas industry and actively promote the transition to a future based on renewable energies,’ emphasized Nicole de Oliveira Figueiredo, executive director of ARAYARA. According to environmental organizations, the conclave of executives is conducted under the facade of celebrating innovations, using greenwashing practices to hide the harmful socio-environmental impacts of their operations. However, the agreements made in these meetings disregard urgent climate concerns, deepening the global dependence on non-renewable fuels.
Advancement Of Fossil Gas And Protests In Brazil
As protests occur in Berlin, a paradoxical situation persists in Brazil. Even with its giant potential for renewable energies, the country continues to progress in fossil gas infrastructure. Research conducted by ARAYARA revealed the existence of 29 LNG terminals at different stages of development, with seven operational and eight others in the environmental licensing phase. Alarmingly, almost one-third of these terminals are located in the Legal Amazon, a region already severely affected by socio-environmental impacts. Environmental engineer Alisson Capelli warns that the expansion of LNG in the Amazon endangers sensitive ecosystems and local communities, citing, for example, Barcarena, in Pará. A new gas thermoelectric plant is under construction there, with a projected capacity of up to 2.6 GW, in a location already marked by constant environmental disasters.
Global Impacts And Challenges Of LNG And Fracking
Since the 2000s, Barcarena has faced various environmental problems, including chemical spills and water contamination, in addition to the tragic sinking of a ship full of cattle, which earned it the nickname ‘Chernobyl of the Amazon’. The expansion of LNG and fracking is not limited to Brazil and is a global concern. Information from the Investing in Climate Chaos platform shows that more than 7,000 institutional investors hold a total of $4.3 trillion in shares and bonds of companies in the fossil fuel sector, according to data up to May 2024. For Nicole de Oliveira Figueiredo, the fight against the gas industry is more than economic; it is a ‘matter of survival’ for communities and our planet. ‘While sector leaders seek to maximize their profits, activists remain steadfast in their fight for a fairer and more renewable future. With the approaching COP30, Brazil faces the choice between continuing with these fuels or leading the transition to clean energies,’ she concluded.
No Fracking Brazil Campaign And Legislative Achievements
Since 2016, the ARAYARA Institute, along with the No Fracking Brazil Coalition for Climate, Water, and Life (COESUS), has been at the forefront of the ‘No Fracking Brazil’ campaign, aimed at mobilizing civil society, lawmakers, and authorities to prohibit this harmful practice in the country. Among its achievements is the establishment of Brazil’s first anti-fracking legislation, approved in Paraná in July 2019, followed by the approval of bill no. 145/2019, which prohibits the exploration of shale gas in Santa Catarina. Recently, on December 2, the Federal Court ordered the suspension of fracking for extraction in the Recôncavo Baiano region, marking another significant progress in environmental protection and the fight against this practice in Brazil.
Source: ARAYARA Press
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