Questions and answers on the proposal for amendment to the EU Methane Regulation

Why is the Commission proposing a targeted amendment to the EU Methane Regulation?

The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant share of the world's liquified natural gas (20%) and of seaborne oil (25%), has sharply reduced supply at a global level. Since the Middle East crisis erupted, the EU has been carefully monitoring the situation and acted decisively to mitigate its impact on the domestic energy market.

Europe is approaching a potentially very difficult winter in terms of high energy prices. Given the uncertainty over how long and how severe the current Middle Eastern supply shock may be, it is important for the EU to avoid any additional risks. Securing reliable and competitive supplies of crude oil and natural gas remains key. In a context where existing contracts and trade routes are under pressure and where the pool of alternative supplies remains limited, particularly for deliveries in the short term, the Commission wants to ensure that any additional risk is avoided.  

What are the objectives of the proposed changes?

The proposed amendment would postpone by one year the monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for natural gas, oil and coal for importers, and, consequently, the related methane-intensity requirements for importers and Union producers.

The objective is to avoid any potential indirect negative effects of those obligations in a context of global energy crisis. It is meant to preserve the pragmatic implementation of the Regulation by allowing third countries, importers, Union producers and competent authorities of EU countries to be able to fully and effectively comply with the EU Methane Regulation.

The amendment proposed today is targeted and   the EU's ambition to abate methane emissions remains steadfast. The Commission will engage with the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that the legislative process for the present proposal fully preserves its scope.