Beyond Natural: The Hidden Costs of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Expansion

In this episode of SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure expansion. Our guest from Earth Insight will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde Island Passage and beyond. We will discuss the urgent need for a shift to renewable energy and strategies for safeguarding our planet’s most vulnerable regions from the devastating effects of LNG projects.

Based on the insightful report "Anything But Natural: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Infrastructure Expansion Threats to Coastal and Marine Ecosystems" this episode will highlight significant threats LNG projects pose to coastal and marine environments and the communities that depend on them. Our speaker will also present the global investment surge in LNG infrastructure, which jeopardizes the transition to renewable energy and threatens biodiversity-rich regions. Finally, we will share some examples and case studies from the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Gulf of California in Mexico, the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines, and the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, highlighting the diverse and far-reaching impacts of LNG projects.

[What follows is a transcription of the podcast, modified for enhanced web readability.]

Paulyn Duman: Welcome to the SDG Learncast with me, Paulyn Duman. In every episode, I bring insightful conversations around the subject of sustainable development and learning, helping us all to achieve a sustainable future.

In this episode of the SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and its expansion. Our guest is Ms. Florencia Librizzi, the program director at Earth Insight. We will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde Island Passage and beyond.

Can you introduce yourself and share your role at Earth Insight? What motivated you to focus your research on the impacts of LNG infrastructure on coastal and marine ecosystems?

Florencia Librizzi: Absolutely. I’m Florencia Librizzi, Program Director at Earth Insight. In my role, I oversee strategy, governance, and program delivery. I’m also an international lawyer with experience in policy issues, multi-stakeholder engagement, and education. I teach a course on sustainable development at Fordham University and have previously worked with the UN, co-chairing the Higher Education for Sustainability Initiative and contributing to the UN Global Compact Principles for Responsible Management Education.

At Earth Insight, we aim to provide the public with tools and analysis that elevate understanding of best practices and ambitions for the protection of nature, climate, and people. With a precautionary principle in mind, we highlight threats before they happen. Recently, we produced the "Anything But Natural" report on liquefied natural gas infrastructure expansion and its threats to coastal and marine ecosystems. This report responds to rising concerns about the environmental risks of LNG and its contributions to habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. As the world relies more and more on LNG expansion, we want to reveal those threats and foster greater transparency and partnerships to find solutions.

Paulyn Duman: Can you provide an overview of the current global trends in LNG infrastructure development?

Florencia Librizi: Global LNG infrastructure is rapidly expanding, driven by energy security concerns and the perception that LNG is a "bridge fuel" to renewables. LNG, which is primarily methane, is itself a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. There are plans to invest over one trillion US dollars in new gas infrastructure, which will increase the world’s export capacity threefold and raise import capacity by about two-thirds.

As you can imagine, this expansion poses considerable environmental impacts, particularly for marine ecosystems. Our report provides a heat map of where LNG projects are expanding globally, along with five case studies of planned developments in North and South America, Africa, and Asia. These areas will face habitat destruction, pollution, and increased shipping traffic if these projects are developed.

Paulyn Duman: Being from the Philippines, this is an important topic for me. Can you tell us how LNG expansion specifically threatens marine biodiversity? Could you share examples from the report where LNG projects have led to significant environmental degradation?

Florencia Librizzi: Absolutely. LNG expansion poses severe threats to biodiversity through habitat destruction, particularly in vital coastal areas like mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs, which are crucial breeding grounds for marine life and provide essential services to coastal communities. The cooling and shipping processes associated with LNG facilities introduce pollutants, spills, and wastewater discharge, in addition to increasing emissions.

Increased tanker traffic also leads to underwater noise pollution, which disrupts species like whales and dolphins and raises the risk of ship strikes. For example, in the Gulf South region of the U.S., LNG infrastructure expansion in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi threatens valuable marshlands, exacerbates air quality issues, and negatively impacts local fishing communities. Critically endangered species like the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and the Florida manatee are also at risk.

In the Philippines, LNG expansion poses a direct threat to the Verde Island Passage, a globally important biodiversity hotspot. This area, part of the Coral Triangle, hosts 30% of the world’s coral reefs, despite covering just 1% of the ocean. LNG projects, including nine gas-fired power plants and four import terminals, endanger species like the hawksbill turtle and the oceanic manta ray. Additionally, the increased shipping traffic threatens fisheries and local food security, especially in the wake of the 2023 oil spill near Mindoro.

Paulyn Duman: How does LNG infrastructure affect the socioeconomic conditions of coastal communities?

Florencia Librizzi: LNG infrastructure projects can have significant social impacts, particularly for coastal communities. These include:

1. Displacement: Coastal communities may be displaced as large areas of land are used for LNG facilities, ports, and pipelines, disrupting traditional livelihoods like fishing, farming, and tourism.
2. Economic Disruption: While LNG projects may bring temporary jobs, they often harm the fishing and tourism industries in the long term.
3. Health and Safety Risks: Communities near LNG facilities are exposed to air and water pollution, leading to respiratory issues and other health problems. There are also safety risks from potential leaks and accidents.
4. Social Inequality: The economic benefits of LNG projects often do not trickle down to local communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.
5. Cultural Erosion: For indigenous and local communities, the destruction of coastal environments threatens cultural practices, traditions, and livelihoods tied to the sea.

Paulyn Duman: A lot of people rely on LNG as a source of energy. What are the viable alternatives to LNG that can help reduce environmental and social risks?

Florencia Librizzi: This is a crucial question. While there’s no simple answer, renewable energy sources like solar and wind play a critical role. Improving energy storage technologies is also key to addressing intermittency in renewable energy. Enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry can reduce overall energy demand, helping us move away from LNG and other fossil fuels.

Paulyn Duman: How does LNG expansion conflict with the goals of the Paris Agreement and global climate targets?

Florencia Librizzi: LNG expansion conflicts with climate goals in several ways. First, LNG emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The entire process—from extraction to transportation—leads to significant methane leaks, undermining efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Second, investments in LNG infrastructure can lock countries into fossil fuel dependency for decades, delaying the transition to renewable energy. Finally, the entire LNG supply chain has a higher global warming potential than previously understood, making it an unsustainable choice for meeting climate goals.

Paulyn Duman: What policy changes are necessary to redirect investments from LNG to renewable energy? How can governments ensure the protection of biodiversity-rich areas?

Florencia Librizzi: Several key policy changes are needed to redirect investments. Governments can incentivize renewables through tax breaks, subsidies, and favorable financing for clean energy projects. Stricter environmental regulations—especially on methane emissions and biodiversity protection—are also essential to limit the viability of new LNG projects. Governments should enforce protections for biodiversity-rich coastal and marine regions, preventing harmful infrastructure development in these areas.

Paulyn Duman: What role do local and global communities play in halting LNG infrastructure and promoting sustainable energy solutions?

Florencia Librizzi: Local and global communities are vital. On the ground, local groups are the best-informed advocates, raising awareness and challenging harmful projects. Legal advocacy often works in collaboration with environmental organizations to challenge projects that violate regulations. Public pressure through campaigns and petitions can influence policymakers to shift towards cleaner energy solutions. Lastly, partnerships between communities, NGOs, and international organizations are crucial for driving sustainable change.

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Paulyn Duman is the Knowledge Management, Communications, and Reporting Officer at the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development and is a coordinator for the Joint Secretariat of UN SDG:Learn, together with UNITAR.

The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.