European Commission proposes delaying methane rules for imports by one year

On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal to postpone by one year the application of certain methane emissions obligations for importers of natural gas, oil, and coal. The measure concerns monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements, as well as the reporting of methane intensity by importers and producers in the European Union.

European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, stated that the EU’s emissions reduction target remains unchanged, but that the implementation of the rules must be flexible in the context of pressure on energy prices and supply risks.

According to the Commission, the postponement would give importers more time to comply with the requirements and would avoid additional pressure on the security of supply of imported fossil fuels, against the backdrop of the geopolitical situation and difficulties in global energy markets.

The proposed amendment does not change the objectives, integrity, or scope of the European regulation on methane. The amendment is to be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for adoption, and the Commission announced that it would work with the two institutions toward a swift agreement and to maintain legal certainty.

The methane regulation, adopted in 2024, is the world’s first comprehensive legislation to regulate emissions associated with imports of oil, gas, and coal. Methane is the second most important source of greenhouse gas emissions after carbon dioxide, and reducing it is considered one of the fastest ways to limit global warming.