Brussels, 9 May 2023 -- Today the European Parliament adopted its position on the European Commission’s proposal on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector.
Flavia Sollazzo, Senior Director, EU Energy Transition, Environmental Defense Fund Europe, offers the following comment:
“We are pleased the European Parliament’s Plenary today endorsed the joint ENVI and ITRE report. It is good to see that science-based decision-making, as well as the European Parliament’s commitment to making the objectives of the European Green Deal a reality, have prevailed.
“While today’s vote is a step in the right direction, we are looking forward to the European Parliament’s negotiators working towards an ambitious and robust final regulation after trilogues, especially when it comes to delivering strong rules on monitoring, reporting and verification of methane and leak detection and repair, as well as putting in place an ambitious performance standard for methane emissions intensity.
Now is the moment for Europe to lead on reducing the impact of methane on our climate and to take up the opportunity to meet the EU’s climate targets as well as assert its leadership role in global energy diplomacy. In view of the upcoming trilogues, the EU must seize this opportunity and work towards an ambitious and robust final regulation to fulfil its responsibilities to today’s citizens and future generations.”
-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
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