LNG should be phased out like coal, civil society groups say in protest at ADB meet

THE Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) take on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional fuel in Asia’s green energy transition is facing pushback from a number of civil society groups that attended its 56th Annual Meeting in Incheon, South Korea.

As the regional development bank’s annual governors’ business session was in motion on Thursday (May 4), the groups held a small protest near the venue chanting: “Asian banks, no, thanks. We don’t need fossil gas.” They also carried signs and waved flags carrying messages, including “Don’t gas Asia”, and “No more false solutions!”. 

The protest also took aim at Japan’s and South Korea’s part in pushing LNG as a low carbon solution for the region. Japan, which holds ADB presidency, is a big supporter and promoter of gas, while South Korea is one of the biggest developers of gas, campaigners charged. The protest was organised by about 30 campaigners, but a police permit allowed only 20 of them to attend.