EU lawmakers back three-year delay to methane rules until 2031
Importers of oil, gas and coal would get more time to meet EU methane requirements. Greens called it a "scandal", while the EPP cited security of supply.
Symbolic image · Photo: Diliff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
The European Parliament on Thursday backed a three-year delay to the EU's methane rules. Importers of crude oil, natural gas and coal would have until May 31, 2031, to comply with methane monitoring, reporting and verification requirements for supply contracts concluded or renewed since Aug. 4, 2024, Reuters reported. Lawmakers thereby rejected the Commission's proposal for a one-year delay. The move followed pressure from governments including France and the United States.
The push was led by the centre-right EPP, which said at least 15 member states had called for it, Euronews reported; Social Democrats and Liberals backed only a one-year delay, while the Greens and the Left opposed any postponement. Green lead negotiator Jutta Paulus called the push by conservatives and the far right "an absolute scandal". EPP lawmaker Christian Ehler said the issue was not more methane emissions but security of supply and lower energy prices. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Parliament must now negotiate the final text with member states, with the aim of the change taking effect before the end of the year.