The EU’s push to curb methane emissions is running into a familiar obstacle: the need to keep energy flowing at a reasonable cost. Three deadlines in the methane rules are now on course for a one-year delay.
The Council of the EU has agreed to postpone some methane monitoring requirements for imported oil, natural gas and coal by one year. Member states cite mounting pressure on global energy markets and concerns over supply security amid the conflict in the Middle East. They want to avoid adding further strain to Europe’s energy market.
“More than ever, we need secure and reliable energy supplies in Europe. The Council’s agreement today proposes a pragmatic approach forward, addressing the pressures in the energy market, while maintaining the EU’s global leadership in reducing methane emissions,” said Irish Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Darragh O’Brien.
Ireland, which currently holds the Council presidency, is now pushing for a swift agreement with the European Parliament.
Three key deadlines pushed back
The delay covers three sets of requirements. Monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for importers of oil, gas and coal will now apply from 1 January 2028. The original deadline was 1 January 2027.
The requirement to report methane intensity will move from 5 August 2028 to 5 August 2029. Maximum methane intensity limits will take effect on 5 August 2031, rather than in 2030. The latter two measures apply to both importers and EU producers.
More than ever, we need secure and reliable energy supplies in Europe.
— Darragh O’Brien, Irish Climate, Energy and Environment Minister
However, experts warn that the delay may do little to improve Europe’s energy security. Dr Léa Pilsner of the Environmental Defense Fund told EU Perspectives in an October interview that methane leaks also mean wasted energy.
“Europe cannot improve its energy security by delaying measures designed to reduce that waste,” she argued. The postponement could therefore undermine one of the very objectives member states say they want to protect.
A deal still needs Parliament’s backing
The EU adopted its methane regulation in May 2024, and it entered into force that August. It introduced stricter rules for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions across the energy sector. It also aims to make emissions linked to fossil fuel imports into the EU more transparent.
Methane accounts for around 30 per cent of global warming.
The European Commission proposed the targeted one-year delay on 14 October. EU leaders subsequently endorsed it at their October summit. Today’s agreement sets out the member states’ negotiating position. It does not yet constitute final approval of the changes.
The Council now seeks an agreement with the European Parliament as soon as possible. This would allow the postponement to take effect before the end of the year, since the original import monitoring requirements are due to apply from 1 January 2027.
The Commission will also assess by 30 September 2027 whether the conditions for introducing these requirements are in place. These include the availability of independent verifiers and rules for exchanging emissions data between producers and importers.
If the necessary conditions are still missing, the Commission will be able to postpone the import monitoring requirements further through secondary legislation.
