The European Parliament has adopted a new law to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector, which is responsible for about a third of current global warming. The law, which is the first EU-wide legislation to cut methane emissions, covers direct methane emissions from the oil, fossil gas, and coal sectors, and from biomethane once it is injected into the gas network. The law also includes requirements for imported oil, gas, and coal from 2027. The new regulation is expected to enable the EU to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector to reach the EU’s climate goals and improve air quality, as well as increase energy sovereignty in the EU. The law now has to be adopted by the Council before being published in the EU Official Journal and entering into force 20 days later.

Methane ranks as the second most significant contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide^[1]. In fact, methane has a greater heat-trapping effect in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide, with a global warming potential 28 times higher over a 100-year period.

^[1] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/carbon-management-and-fossil-fuels/methane-emissions_en