International Coalition Urges G7 to Affirm Role of Natural Gas in Achieving Energy Security, Climate Goals

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2023 — The American Petroleum Institute and U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined with allied trades in calling on the Group of Seven (G7) nations to expeditiously act on policies that ensure international commitments to replace Russian natural gas are achieved. In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister and current G7 Chair Fumio Kishida, the signatories stressed the importance of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in meeting shared energy security and climate objectives.

“The energy and financial reverberations of the war have shown that these goals cannot be achieved without fundamental progress on both energy security and climate change. Responsible development of natural gas and associated infrastructure is critical to this progress, and we look forward to working with G7 ministers and heads of state to ensure that the forthcoming meetings reflect these realities,” the letter states.

The letter follows a meeting between industry leaders and representatives from G7 nations held on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston, Texas.

“[O]ur energy security forum discussion emphasized the importance of building on the G7’s June 2022 statement recognizing 'the important role increased deliveries of LNG can play’ in phasing out dependency on Russian energy and that ‘investment in this sector is necessary in response to the current crisis.’”

The letter called on G7 leaders to advance the following priorities in its forthcoming meeting and ultimate Communique:

• Work with industry to encourage public and private investment in all segments of the natural gas supply chain to ensure sufficient development and availability of non-Russian supplies, while ensuring consistency with long-term climate objectives.
• Commit to cooperate on ways to improve guidelines and practices associated with public financing of natural gas infrastructure and foster efficient and timely review of permitting of such infrastructure.
• Support the development of gas resources including biomethane, renewable natural gas, and other renewable and low carbon gaseous fuels.

Signatories of the letter include:

• American Petroleum Institute
• Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association
• Energy Policy Research Foundation
• Eurogas
• International Association of Oil and Gas Producers
• International Gas Union
• LNG Allies
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Click here to view the letter.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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