Activists from the Friends of the Earth organization have launched a public petition for the British government to stop the investment and about one billion dollars in the Total-led gas project in Mozambique.
A petition points to the fact that the executive led by Boris Johnsosn has pledged to contain the climate crisis at the UN climate negotiations (COP26), but is doing just the opposite by channeling investment into that gas exploration project.
"The Government needs to do all it can to support the transition to renewable energy, not to support new fossil fuel projects. In doing so, it is acting against its commitments under the Paris Agreement," reads the petition call
The petition had a strong following on social media last Friday and was pushed by other environmental organizations via Twitter.
Boris Johnson said he was committed to curbing the climate crisis at #COP26but the UK government is pledging over $1 billion for a new climate-wrecking gas project in Mozambique. I signed @friends_earth's petition to demand he pulls support. Will you? https://t.co/2fTh8eZy2R
- Sheffield Greenpeace (@shefgreenpeace) November 19, 2021
Nevertheless, the note says that the court can still be avoided, provided that Boris Johnson withdraws "his support for this new mega-project in Mozambique once and for all."
If the British government's decision prevails, the hearing on the activist group's challenge is due to take place in December.
The participation of UK Export Finance (UKEF), which will support the Moz LNG1 Financing company, would involve the development of offshore gas production facilities linked to an onshore gas receiving facility and natural gas liquefaction and infrastructure on the Afungi peninsula in Cabo Delgado.
The project will have various goods and services supplied by UK exporters, and is expected to collaborate on the construction of port facilities, storage tanks, worker housing, airstrips, power generation facilities, waste disposal and water treatment facilities.
Friends of the Earth is calling on the public to sign a petition and ask the Prime Minister to keep his commitment to climate action. Pressure on the British government has increased following the UN climate talks. "Now is the time to demand that it takes its commitment seriously," says the NGO on its website.
Source: DW, friendsoftheearth