EU proposes delaying methane obligations amid pressure on energy importers

The European Commission proposed Wednesday postponing by one year the implementation of certain provisions of the EU Methane Regulation concerning fossil fuel importers, aiming to ease cost pressures on European industry amid rising energy prices. The proposed amendment would delay monitoring, reporting, and verification obligations for importers of natural gas, oil, and coal, as well as reporting requirements related to methane intensity for both importers and EU producers, according to a statement. The bloc said the move comes as the conflict in the Middle East puts additional pressure on global energy markets, driving up energy prices and potentially reducing the availability of gas and oil. "This is driving up energy prices and may cause reduced availability of gas and oil, hampering the EU's competitiveness and security of supply," the statement said. The proposed one-year postponement is intended to prevent additional pressure on the security of imported fossil fuel supplies while giving companies and national administrations more time to prepare for compliance with the regulation. The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the European Council for consideration and adoption. The EU Methane Regulation, adopted in 2024, is the world's first comprehensive legislation addressing methane emissions associated with imports of oil, natural gas, and coal. The regulation covers domestic production, transportation, and processing, as well as imports, and introduces progressively stricter requirements to improve transparency and reduce methane emissions. The commission stressed that the proposed amendment would not affect the regulation's overall ambition, integrity, or scope, reaffirming the bloc's commitment to reducing methane emissions.