European Union considers delay of methane emission rules

The European Union is considering a one-year delay in implementing new regulations designed to reduce methane emissions. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen proposed the postponement following discussions with energy ministers from the 27 member states and pressure from industrial lobbies and France.

Proponents of the delay argue that postponing the rules would alleviate pressure on energy markets and potentially lower oil and gas prices. However, the Climate Crisis Advisory Group (CCAG) notes that the regulation targets gas that is currently leaked, vented, or flared—essentially lost, marketable gas. The CCAG suggests that capturing this gas could add approximately 200 billion cubic meters to the market annually, meaning the rules could actually increase gas availability rather than decrease it.

Methane is responsible for roughly 30 percent of the global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution. Recent record heatwaves in Europe, linked to such emissions, have been associated with at least 35,000 excess deaths. Under the proposed rules, EU member states must monitor, report, and verify emissions, while energy importers would be required to ensure imported fossil fuels meet the same mitigation standards.