The introduction of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDD) could see Qatar and the European Union (EU) clashing. This directive, which will come into force in 2027, requires large companies to ensure that their value chain respects human rights and environmental standards. Non-compliance will result in heavy penalties, including a fine of up to 5% of annual worldwide turnover. This directive aims to make multinationals more accountable for their social and environmental impacts.

Qatar, whose economy is largely based on the exploitation and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), sees this directive as a direct threat. The head of QatarEnergy and Qatari Energy Minister, Saad al Kaabi, has expressed his firm opposition to any sanctions against his company. "If it turns out that I lose 5% of my income by going to Europe, then I won't go to Europe any more", he said, stressing that these losses would also have a significant impact on the Qatari economy.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has increased its dependence on LNG to compensate for the drop in Russian gas imports. Qatar has become a key supplier: almost a third of the LNG transiting through the Zeebrugge port terminal in Belgium comes from this country. Qatar's LNG exports to the EU fell by 38.3% in the third quarter of 2024. Despite this, the country remains Europe's fourth-largest exporter of LNG.

Luxembourg, although it has no LNG terminals to import LNG directly, relies heavily on Belgian infrastructure for its natural gas supplies. Although it is difficult to trace the precise origin of the gas delivered to the Grand Duchy, it is likely that some of it comes indirectly from Qatar via interconnected European flows.

This article was originally published in .