US Gas Imports Spark Carbon Footprint Controversy in Europe
The debate over the carbon impact of US gas imported to Europe has intensified. The majority of Europe's liquefied natural gas imports now come from the United States, with a carbon footprint that remains fiercely contested.
According to a study by American biogeochemist Robert Howarth, published in October 2024, the carbon footprint of US LNG imported to Europe is greater than that of coal. This finding was highlighted by oil and gas giant TotalEnergies in its March 2025 climate report.
TotalEnergies describes gas as a 'necessary transition fuel for building a reliable, low-carbon power system', but the study's claims have been disputed by the industry. The European Commission has recently paved the way for a one-year delay in implementing regulations to improve monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil fuel imports.