EU's methane rules face two-year delay, sparking environmental backlash
Environmentalists warn that delaying EU methane rules will do little to lower energy prices, accusing Brussels of using energy security and competitiveness to justify weakening the Green Deal.
The European Commission has decided to delay new methane-monitoring rules for fossil fuel imports by over two years, sparking criticism from environmental groups. The proposal, which extends the deadline to May 2029, instead of January 2027, has been criticized by environmentalists as weakening EU climate legislation without addressing the root causes of the energy crisis.
The delay comes after pressure from industry and governments concerned about compliance costs and energy security. However, it falls short of calls for a three-year delay from some EU countries. Environmental groups argue that methane rules do not pose a threat to Europe's energy security and that the current supply issues are primarily due to the US-Israeli war against Iran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The EU adopted methane rules in May 2024, requiring fossil fuel importers to measure, report, and verify emissions from the energy sector. However, the latest energy crisis has raised concerns that the rules could exacerbate shortages. Despite significant flexibility offered to industry, including a three-year suspension of penalties, environmental groups warn that even a limited delay could lead to further concessions and harm Europe's energy security.
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