A group of 12 leading academics has warned that the Irish Government’s plans for a commercial LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility could deepen the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
In a letter addressed to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, experts from universities in both Ireland and the United States expressed concern about the proposed development. They cautioned that proceeding with the LNG facility could undermine Ireland’s climate commitments.
The academics warned that ignoring their concerns could result in Ireland forfeiting a “tremendous opportunity to transition towards a cleaner, more secure energy system.”
The letter comes amid ongoing debates about Ireland’s energy security and its commitments to reducing carbon emissions under various climate agreements. LNG facilities are designed to import, store and regasify liquefied natural gas, which critics argue locks countries into fossil fuel infrastructure for decades.
According to The Irish Examiner, the warning highlights the tension between addressing immediate energy security concerns and meeting longer-term climate objectives as Ireland works to reduce its carbon footprint.