Drilling operations have commenced off the coast of Borkum, Germany, triggering a strong response from Felix Banaszak, leader of the Green Party. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” Banaszak criticized the federal government, stating that each exploratory borehole in the Wadden Sea represents a further step away from climate protection goals. He questioned the project’s contribution to national energy security, highlighting potential damage to the area’s unique natural environment.
The Wadden Sea is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a crucial habitat for porpoises, seals and millions of migratory birds. Banaszak accused the government of transforming this area into a profit center for the fossil fuel industry, deeming this action a setback and carrying significant risks.
The Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) approved the immediate execution of the drilling operations requested by the Dutch company One-Dyas on Monday. While a permit for the project was already granted last year, it has been subject to legal challenge by the German Environmental Aid (DUH), which has previously suspended its implementation.
Protests against the drilling commenced on Borkum on Thursday, with the DUH and the “Fridays for Future” climate movement establishing a protest camp. Banaszak expressed solidarity with the activists, encouraging their perseverance.
Concerns voiced by residents of the East Frisian islands regarding their homeland further underscored the unsustainable nature of pursuing what Banaszak described as “illusory solutions” relating to fossil fuels. He advocated for a legal halt to new oil and gas drilling in Germany, with a target end to domestic extraction by 2030.
The Green Party has submitted proposals to the Bundestag aimed at amending federal mining law to achieve this objective. Simultaneous efforts to accelerate the expansion of wind and solar energy were also emphasized, highlighting their role in securing affordable electricity prices and protecting domestic ecosystems from climate crisis.
The International Court of Justice recently noted, within its climate position paper, the legally binding international target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The court warned that a state’s failure to take appropriate measures could constitute a violation of international law, particularly when a state promotes fossil fuel exploration, issues licenses for their exploitation, or provides subsidies for fossil fuel energy sources. Such actions could be considered unlawful under international law.