Member states want EU methane rules on oil and gas imports to start a year later, Parliament wants three
Importers would only have to measure and report emissions from imported fuels from 2028, and environmental groups fear the delay will not stop at one year.
EU member states have settled their position on postponing the methane regulation for imported oil, gas and coal. They back the European Commission's proposal to push back the obligations for importers by one year, Business AM reports. Importers would only have to monitor, report and verify the methane emissions of what they import from 1 January 2028, instead of early 2027. Reporting on methane intensity moves to August 2029 and the maximum limits to August 2031, The Brussels Times writes.
Member states point to the disruption of energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East and to security of supply. The European Parliament goes further and wants a three-year delay because of high energy prices, so the two institutions now have to negotiate a compromise. Member states want the postponement settled by the end of the year.
According to EUobserver, the ambassadors only reached agreement at the third attempt, and the deal leaves room for further delay: the Commission must assess by 30 September 2027 whether importers can comply with the rules, and can otherwise postpone the obligations again. The Clean Air Task Force warns that one year must not turn into a rolling postponement. Methane is the most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and, according to the Commission, accounts for about 30 percent of global warming.