EU Pitches Plan to Cut Methane Emissions in Energy Imports

(Bloomberg) -- The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, pledged to tackle methane emissions in its energy imports as it tries to land a deal curbing one of the most potent greenhouse gases in time for next month’s COP28 climate summit.

The commission said it would gradually phase in rules so that imports reach a “certain level of methane intensity performance” by the end of the decade, with the bloc due to lay out the details in a legislative act, according to a document seen by Bloomberg News. The aim is to reach a final deal between the European Parliament and member states on Nov. 14.

Lawmakers have been pushing to apply the same rules on methane imports as it will apply domestically. They had wanted to put in place those measures — covering leak detection and repair — from 2026. Member states have been opposed to such a move.

The commission is proposing to first establish by 2026 a methane transparency database, which would provide evidence of how fossil-fuel exporters are measuring and containing their emissions. By 2028 they would then be obliged to show they apply equivalent measures to the EU. Non-compliance would be “disincentivized” with methods “to be discussed,” according to the draft. 

By 2028, the commission would also adopt an act laying out the methodolgy for calculating methane intensity. The best way to curb methane is set to be discussed at the United Nations’ COP28 summit in Dubai. 

The commission’s methane draft document was previously reported by Reuters.

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