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Methane emission source

European Parliament pushes EU closer to action on methane pollution

September 28, 2021 Work Area: Methane

Today’s adoption of the methane report in the ENVI Committee is an important step towards the reduction of methane pollution across the European Union and, once it is adopted by the full Parliament, will send a clear signal to the Commission on the need for strong action on methane.

Parliament endorsed a root to branch approach to cleaning up methane in the energy system – from better monitoring and data collection to mandatory inspections all the way to tough import standards on fossil fuels coming from outside the EU. This could become a model for methane emissions reduction policy around the world.

MEPs have put meat on the bones of the recent Global Methane Pledge, which was signed by both the Council and Commission. That means all three institutions have clearly signaled their intention to cut methane emissions, which is the only option to substantially reduce warming in the next 20 years, giving us a chance to prevent dangerous climate tipping points.

With the strong direction from Parliament, the upcoming regulation on methane has all the right political backing to become the world’s most comprehensive methane reduction policy. This is a fantastic opportunity for the European Union to further enhance its climate leadership credentials and to address both its domestic and its global methane emissions.

What happens next? The methane question should go to Plenary in October – ahead of COP26. This adds further momentum to the expectation of a major action on methane at Glasgow.


Press Contact

Rowan Emslie, Communications Director, Europe, [email protected], +44 7466-674738

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