EU Aims to Reduce Methane Emissions

European Parliament Targets Methane Emissions Reduction The European Parliament (EP) has called for new rules requiring companies selling oil and natural gas in European Union countries to reduce their methane emissions. The EP Plenary session held in Strasbourg discussed legislative regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions from the energy sector. EP members adopted a document determining their position on new legislation to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector with a vote of 499 in favor, in order to meet the EU's climate targets and improve air quality. According to this, the Commission will prepare binding methane emissions reduction targets for the EU for 2030 across all relevant sectors. EU legislation aimed at reducing methane emissions will cover the oil, natural gas and coal sectors as well as the petrochemical industry. Energy companies will be required to detect and repair methane leaks. By 2025, the release or flaring of methane gas from drainage stations will be prohibited. From 2026 onwards, importers of coal, oil and gas will be required to comply with the designated methane rules. Following this stage, negotiations will take place between the EP and member states to finalize the new legislation. Methane emerges as the second largest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 30 percent of global temperature increase stems from methane emissions. While the global energy sector accounts for 40 percent of methane emissions, energy ranks second after agriculture in methane emissions.   Source