Europe’s largest plastics project, Project One, a €4 billion ethane cracker at the Port of Antwerp, faces a fifth permit challenge from NGOs and community groups led by ClientEarth and Greenpeace Belgium.

Legal precedents cited include UK Supreme Court, EFTA court, European Court of Human Rights rulings, and an ICJ-backed framework indicating Scope 3 emissions must be assessed in EIAs, which could influence Antwerp’s case.

Health assessments project up to 410 deaths per year from air pollution and more than 100 new asthma cases in children, along with hospitalisations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

US communities affected by fracking visited Antwerp to share experiences and push for recognition of health impacts linked to fracked gas used by Project One.

If NGOs succeed, a court ruling could invalidate current or future permits, potentially halting construction or operation depending on timing.

Public subsidies for Project One include about €600 million from the UK, a €500 million Flemish guarantee, and a €2 million sustainability grant, fueling debate over funding for fossil-fuel infrastructure.

ENDS.

The lawsuit contends that environmental impact assessments fail to account for climate and health harms, notably by omitting Scope 3 emissions from the gas supply chain and downstream plastic waste incineration.

Independent studies estimate full supply chain emissions could be four to five times higher than INEOS’s on-site figures, potentially reaching millions of tonnes of CO2e annually with downstream consequences.

Stakeholders emphasize the need for EIAs to reflect real global impacts and acknowledge the human health and environmental costs of fracked-gas-based plastics production.

Project One would process US-shale gas into ethylene for plastics, with construction since December 2022 and multiple prior lawsuits affecting permits.

INEOS cites about 655,000 tCO2e per year in direct emissions, but critics argue the true lifecycle footprint is much larger, underscoring broader climate and health impacts.