EU Delays Methane Rules for Fossil Fuel Importers by One Year
The European Union has granted exporters an additional year to prepare for stricter methane regulations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the one-year delay for the methane regulation concerning fossil fuel imports, following pressure from Czechia and 19 other member states, including Germany. Czechia had initially sought a three-year delay, while France proposed a one-year extension.
Von der Leyen stated that the delay would provide 'another year of flexibility' for methane exporters. She also highlighted plans to launch a strategic dialogue on European refineries to reduce costs and proposed measures to increase electricity's share of total energy demand. The announcement came amid rising energy prices, with gas prices up 140% since late February and diesel prices doubling.
The EU methane regulation, which entered into force in August 2024, includes gradual implementation of requirements. The delayed provisions, set to apply from January 2027, would require importers to demonstrate that producers in third countries use adequate systems for measuring, reporting, and verifying emissions. Concerns were raised about the lack of measurement specialists and independent verifiers in third countries.
Czechia and other member states had expressed concerns that strict import requirements could complicate or increase the cost of gas and oil imports, especially during the current energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.