EU will not change methane regulation but there is some flexibility, official says
EU defends its new methane rules on energy imports while working with suppliers and the US to finalise a joint trade statement. - UNPLASH/Pic for illustrative purposes only
BRUSSELS: An EU official said on Tuesday that the bloc's methane regulation has come up in U.S. trade talks but the EU stands "firmly" behind its legislation.
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- The EU is finalising a joint trade statement with the US, with energy issues still under discussion.
- A new EU regulation requires oil and gas importers to report methane emissions to fight climate change.
- Despite calls to simplify the law, the EU stands by the regulation but may allow flexibility in how it's implemented.
From this year, the EU requires importers of oil and gas to monitor and report the methane emissions associated with these imports. Methane, which escapes from leaky gas infrastructure, is the second-biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide emissions.
"We stand firmly by this regulation, it is the first of its kind," the official said.
"Basically within the framework of the regulation, we can be flexible in its implementation for instance in reporting. We are not going to open the regulation, we stand by it."
In June, EU countries considered asking Brussels to simplify the law.
The official said Brussels has already held technical workshops with its gas suppliers to ensure the rules are not problematic.
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