EU Commission presents proposal on methane emissions reduction

Today, 15 December 2021, the European Commission published the hydrogen and gas market decarbonisation package, including the proposal for a regulation on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector. The proposal introduces new requirements in terms of measurement, reporting and verification of emissions, as well as abatement measures including leak detection and repair (LDAR) and restrictions on venting and flaring. The regulation also puts forward rules to increase transparency on methane emissions associated with fossil fuels imports. The proposal targets the emissions arising along the entire value chain, but end-use.

The Florence School of Regulation (FSR) welcomes the proposal by the European Commission. Andris Piebalgs, part-time professor at the FSR and Chair of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) Implementation Committee, commented on the significance of the proposal:

Today’s proposal is an important milestone. One year after the publication of the EU Methane Strategy, the Commission tabled a set of comprehensive rules, combining measures with almost immediate effect on emissions, i.e. LDAR programs with more accurate measurement of emissions, which will foster the development of effective policies, and regulations driving further methane emissions reductions in the future

The regulation follows the Global Methane Pledge – a joint commitment, taken by the European Union, the United States and a number of other countries at COP26, to reduce all man-made methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. The regulation shows the EU commitment and its strong leadership in cutting energy-related methane emissions, a measure that represents one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases, contributing to the achievement of 2030 and 2050 climate objectives without slowing down the energy transition.

Methane is a short-lived, but potent greenhouse gas, contributing to 25% of global warming we experience today. Methane concentrations continue to increase at an unprecedented rate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6 WG I) – a summary of scientific knowledge on climate change published earlier this year – highlighted the important role of methane mitigation in keeping global warming in check and called for “strong, rapid and sustained reductions” in CO2 and methane. Today’s regulation positions itself as one decisive step in that direction.

RELATED CONTENT:

 

COP26 EVENTS WITH THE FSR:

Panel moderated by Andris Piebalgs, part-time professor at Florence School of Regulation, Chair of the IMEO Implementation Committee.

FSR speaker: Andris Piebalgs, part-time professor at Florence School of Regulation, Chair of the IMEO Implementation Committee.

 

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