EU states back one-year methane delay, but leave door open for more

EU ambassadors on Friday (6 November) agreed to delay the EU’s methane rules for oil and gas imports by one year, but added a review that could push them back further. At the third attempt in a matter of weeks, member states backed the Irish council presidency’s compromise, which keeps the commission’s proposed one-year delay timeline. Importers would have to start monitoring, reporting and verifying the methane emissions of the oil and gas they buy abroad from 1 January 2028 instead of January 2027. Reporting on the methane intensity of imported oil, gas and coal would be postponed to 5 August 2029, and maximum intensity limits would apply from 5 August 2031, one year later than planned. But the compromise also asks the EU Commission to assess whether importers are actually able to comply with the rules, before 30 September next year. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login