Brussels, 26 April 2023 -- Today the European Parliament’s Industry and Environment committees have adopted their position on the EU’s Methane regulation, intended to reduce methane gas emissions in the oil and gas sector.

Responding to the vote, Flavia Sollazzo, Senior Director, EU Energy Transition, Environmental Defense Fund Europe, said: 

“The outcome of today’s ENVI/ITRE committee vote on a EU-wide, first of its kind regulation to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector is a step in the right direction. While it could have been more ambitious in addressing emissions related to coal mining and natural gas imports, it is good to see the request for a commitment to an EU-wide methane reduction target and to extend the regulation to imports."

“When the regulation enters into force as agreed by the European Parliament, the oil and gas industry will have to comply with more efficient obligations for measuring, reporting and verifying methane waste, and for detecting and repairing leaks. The new regulation will also ban the harmful practice of non-emergency venting and flaring."

"To help slow global warming, we urgently need to stop wasting fossil fuels, as we transition to a sustainable energy system."

“To have any chance of reaching the EU's climate commitments, we need quick action to pass this regulation. It is already nearly 18 months in the making and every day lost represents tens of thousands of tonnes of methane needlessly wasted.  

“There is still a lot of work ahead to effectively reduce methane emissions. I look forward to the trilogues and urge negotiators to match our ambition and secure a robust regulation that tackles this urgent problem effectively. This climate action is long overdue.” 

“The window of opportunity to prevent further climate devastation is rapidly closing. And the ongoing unpredictability of fuel prices makes it economically wise even for industries to invest in capturing and utilising wasted gas. We cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away.” 

-ENDS- 

Flavia Sollazzo is available for further discussion and comment.  

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Anne Visintin anne.visintin@fourtold.eu  

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: https://www.cutmethaneeu.org/     

Notes to editors: 

• Analysis by S&P Global estimates that by cutting preventable losses in six key export regions, more than 80 billion cubic meters (bcm) of methane could be captured and profitably brought to market. That’s almost 60% of Europe’s pre-war annual imports from Russia. 

• The analysis lays out specific steps that could bring 40 bcm of new supply to market – more than the total annual gas demand of France – in just two to three years, using export capacity either in place or under construction today.  

• Capturing this gas would avert 760 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent, an amount roughly the size of Germany’s total annual emissions. 

• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global industry emits 82.5 million metric tons of methane yearly. 

• The EU is the world’s largest importer of natural gas, importing 90% of its gas, from outside its borders. Its ‘methane footprint’ outside its borders is 3 to 8 times higher than that from domestic gas (Carbon Limits) 

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