Fossil fuel imports have dropped across the EU since war on Iran - except in these three countries

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The EU has cut fossil fuel imports in response to the ongoing war on Iran, but Germany, Italy, and Belgium buck the trend by increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports
• Across the bloc, LNG imports fell 1.2% since March 2026, with the UK reducing LNG by 20%
• In contrast, Germany’s LNG imports surged 72% year-on-year, with Italy and Belgium also rising, heightening risks to climate targets and energy resilience

🔭 The context: Europe has relied heavily on US and Russian LNG, with Qatari imports declining due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions
• Renewable energy has mitigated some of the impact: solar alone saved €12.8 billion by early June
• Households and businesses are increasingly adopting electrification measures, from heat pumps to EVs, while clean energy deployment helps buffer electricity prices from fossil fuel volatility

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Rising fossil fuel imports in some countries threatens EU climate goals
• Continued reliance on imported gas delays decarbonization, while renewable deployment and electrification directly cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce exposure to volatile fuel markets, and build structural energy resilience
• Accelerating renewables and low-carbon electrification is crucial to avoid locking in emissions over the coming decade

⏭️ What’s next: EU members must accelerate clean energy adoption and electrification across transport, heating, and industry
• Countries lagging on fossil fuel reductions risk higher energy costs and greater emissions, while states like Spain and France, with higher shares of low-carbon generation, demonstrate how investment in renewables can stabilize electricity prices

💬 One quote: “Accelerating the transition to electrified transport, heating, and industry is essential to reducing dependence on imported fuels and strengthening resilience.” – Adrian Hiel, Director of the Electrification Alliance

📈 One stat: In 2025, 75% of Spain’s electricity came from low-carbon sources, above the EU average of 71%, highlighting the benefits of renewable deployment

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