Brussels, 8 May 2023 -- Today the European Parliament will review and enter final debates on its report on the European Commission’s proposal on methane, intended to reduce methane gas emissions in the energy sector. The report is set for a plenary vote on 9 May 2023.
Flavia Sollazzo, Senior Director, EU Energy Transition, Environmental Defense Fund Europe, offers the following comment:
“Environmental Defense Fund Europe supports the report voted on 26 April by the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).
“Unfortunately, ahead of the plenary vote on 9 May, a small number of Members of the European Parliament has tabled an additional set of amendments (268-280). This new set is greatly concerning because they subvert the scope of the regulation itself, and are far from reflecting international best practices. Disregarding the strong agreement initially reached by ENVI and ITRE would create loopholes that could exempt companies from new rules and even invite oil and gas companies to under-report methane emissions.
“If the European Parliament wants to play its part in making the ambition of the European Green Deal a reality and in cutting methane emissions, it’s crucial it supports the current version of the report approved by ENVI and ITRE, objecting the new amendments 268-280. Failure to do so will undermine the EU’s climate targets as well as its leadership role in the global effort to reduce methane emissions.
-ENDS-
Flavia Sollazzo is available for further discussion and comment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: https://www.cutmethaneeu.org/
MEDIA CONTACT:
Flavia Sollazzo fsollazzo@edf.org
Anne Visintin anne.visintin@fourtold.eu
Notes to editors
The Methane Menace
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas identified as the second-largest contributor to global warming, with a warming potential over 80 times greater than that of carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after it is released into the atmosphere. Atmospheric concentration of methane is increasing faster now than at any time since the 1980s. Methane emissions from human activity are responsible for at least 25% of today's warming. The oil and gas sector stands out as a significant contributor, with methane emissions about 70% higher than official data shows and expected to increase.
About The Environmental Defense Fund
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org and edfeurope.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and activists and offices in the United States, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries and across the E.U. to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseEuro