Workshop on EU Methane Regulation import standard convenes stakeholders to advance credible differentiated fossil fuel markets
Paris, France | 19 May 2025 – On 19 May, representatives from EU Member States, international organisations, and major energy industry stakeholders gathered at the International Energy Agency (IEA) headquarters in Paris for a workshop focused on the implementation of the EU Methane Regulation’s provisions on imported fossil fuels.
Organised by Clean Air Task Force (CATF) and STX Group, in collaboration with the IEA, this closed-door roundtable aimed to foster a shared understanding of the Regulation’s requirements and help build alignment around practical tools and frameworks for compliance. With reporting obligations for importers beginning in May 2025, the event comes at a crucial moment.
Participants explored how to credibly trace the origin and emissions intensity of imported oil and gas, with the aim of equipping Member States with the capacity to apply the Regulation’s requirements effectively and consistently across the EU. The workshop also considered how future complementary market-based approaches, such as certificate trading for verified emissions reductions, could be designed to enhance the Regulation’s impact.
“As implementation begins, it is essential that industry and governments have a clear, shared understanding of compliance expectations. Getting the supply chain tracking right is fundamental to credible differentiation that rewards low-emitting producers and penalises high-emitting ones. It’s the backbone of the import standard.” – Brandon Locke, Senior Europe Policy Manager, Methane, Clean Air Task Force.
“Robust traceability lays the foundation for credible methane performance—and when paired with a tradable compliance framework, it unlocks the full potential of environmentally differentiated gas markets. A market-based approach ensures real abatement is rewarded and provides exporters with the flexibility they need to align with evolving EU requirements.” – Maciej Antzcak. Managing Partner, STX Group.
Policies and regulations for reducing methane emissions, such as the EU Methane Regulation, can help deliver a double dividend: improving energy security by making additional gas available to markets, while simultaneously reducing GHG emissions.” – Christophe McGlade, Head of Energy Supply Unit, International Energy Agency
The workshop agenda included sessions led by the European Commission, the IEA, and major oil and gas stakeholders, including Williams Companies, EQT Corporation, Jonah Energy and Cheniere, non-governmental standards bodies such as the North American Energy Standards Board, as well as technology providers such as Context Labs and Attributes. Over 15 EU Member State Ministries and regulatory agencies participated. The workshop covered technical discussions on data tracking, the Regulation’s implications for energy security, and how credible tracing could improve exporters’ competitiveness on global markets.
As the EU’s trading partners account for over 40% of global methane emissions from oil and gas, the Methane Regulation’s import standard could drive global emission reductions. The workshop aimed to foster cooperation between regulators, exporters, and technology providers to build the necessary capacity for smooth and effective implementation.
A summary of the workshop will be made available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please reach out to our press contact below if you’d like to connect with our experts on the import standard or the workshop itself.
Press Contact
Steve Reyes, Communication Manager, [email protected], +1 562-916-6463
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organisation working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalysing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognised expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
