In a bid to tackle the energy crisis, Dutch authorities have approved offshore drilling for gas in the North Sea. The first gas is set to be extracted in 2024, but the project has sparked controversy on the surrounding islands. Residents fear that drilling for gas will damage the exceptional biodiversity of the area, pollute the Waddenzee - a UNESCO world heritage site - and threaten the islands main source of income, tourism.
The islands are also located just north of the province of Groningen, home to Europe’s once largest gas field. Gas extraction there is set to be suspended due to the large number of earthquakes the drilling caused. A report from the island of Schiermonnikoog by FRANCE 24’s Fernande van Tets and Alix Le Bourdon.
