UK pulls $1.15bn support for Mozambique gas project after climate and terror concerns

UK Abandons $1.15 Billion Mozambique Gas Project Amid Climate and Terror Concerns

The UK government has pulled its lucrative support package of $1.15 billion, worth £870 million, for a contentious gas project in Mozambique that has long been plagued by concerns over human rights abuses, security threats, and environmental degradation.

The decision to withdraw British backing comes as the project's developer, French oil giant TotalEnergies, is poised to revive the embattled scheme. The UK's export finance body, UK Export Finance (Ukef), made the move after a comprehensive assessment found that supporting the project would not align with the nation's interests.

The package was initially agreed upon in 2020, amidst intense opposition from environmental groups and lawmakers who argued it contradicted the government's climate commitments. The concerns about the project have only intensified since then, with an Islamist insurgency attacking a nearby town in 2021, resulting in over 800 deaths.

Critics have long accused the project of perpetuating human rights abuses and exacerbating the climate crisis by extracting fossil fuels from one of Africa's most vulnerable nations. Green groups, including Friends of the Earth, have called for greater investment in renewable energy to promote sustainable development in Mozambique.

The UK government has acknowledged that the risks surrounding the project have increased since its inception. Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated that UK taxpayers would no longer be supporting a scheme deemed detrimental to British interests.

TotalEnergies was unavailable for comment as the news emerged, leaving only speculation about the future of the beleaguered gas project.

just got out the news and i'm kinda surprised lol. always knew there were some major concerns surrounding that project but i thought the UK would've been all in on it by now like, £870 million is a pretty sweet deal for any country. guess not this time tho . hope it sends a signal to other countries and investors about the risks of supporting projects with sketchy human rights records . would've been great if they'd invested in renewables instead tho , Mozambique really does need that kinda support

Ugh I'm not surprised tbh The UK finally came to their senses and dropped the bombshell on that disastrous Mozambique gas project TotalEnergies was already a questionable player, let alone the fact that it's in Africa where they're literally extracting fossil fuels like crazy It's no wonder environmental groups and lawmakers were all over it from the start. And can we talk about how messed up it is that they're just going to let the project pick up where the UK left off? I mean, aren't there enough concerns already without adding in more investors? The climate crisis is real and this is just another example of how fossil fuels are perpetuating the problem At least now we can hope for a shift towards renewable energy and sustainable development

I dont get why this is still happening , I mean, $1.15 billion is like a small fraction of what we spend on military subsidies each year in the US . And its not just about the money either, its about the environmental impact and human rights concerns - Mozambique already has some of the worst climate change effects in Africa . I also feel bad for the people living near the project site, they're being put through so much hardship . Can't we think bigger than just energy production? What's a better way to support sustainable development in Mozambique - investing in renewable energy or...?

just read that the uk pulled out from a 1.15 billion dollar gas project in mozambique... i think its kinda cool that they finally listened to those climate change guys but at the same time, $870 million is like a lot of money and im not sure how this gonna affect all the people who already rely on that project for their livelihoods

man... it's about time someone puts their foot down on this one . 1.15 billion bucks is a lot of cash, but not worth risking the lives of those people in Mozambique and damaging the planet for the sake of profits. climate change is real, let's focus on renewable energy instead . the uk gov should be proud of themselves for making this decision

I'm not surprised, tbh . The climate and terror concerns surrounding that Mozambique gas project were always a red flag . I mean, 800+ deaths from an insurgency? That's just devastating . And now with all the focus on renewables, it's like, who wouldn't want to invest in a sustainable future instead of digging up fossil fuels and risking human rights abuses ?

The UK's decision is a major win for environmental groups and climate activists, but also a reminder that even developed countries have to think carefully about their investments . It's not just about the money; it's about what we're leaving behind for future generations .

I'm curious to see how TotalEnergies will revive this project now... Will they be able to address all these concerns? Maybe, but I think it's going to be a tough sell .