Next week, European member states and environmental committees will most likely vote in favor of a measure that will set a methane target for 2026, centered around the now infamous year 2030 for nitrogen. oil and gas companies to monitor and repair leaks. If producers fail to comply, markets may be banned.
Compromise amendments can be the starting signal for tough negotiations with Member States, which significantly watered down the original resolution of the European Commission. European energy chief Kadri Simson warned last month that the current attitude of the European bloc could mean that climate goals will not be met.
Broad support
The changes have the support of a broad coalition of parliamentary groups, ranging from the Greens to the centre-right European People’s Party. The resolution will be put to the vote on 26 April, after which closing talks with EU27 states will take place.
The European Union is one of 150 signatories to the Global Methane Pledge, an agreement which encourages the reduction of methane emissions by 30%. However, the EU has also indicated that this level will be difficult to achieve unless decisive action is taken, particularly in the agricultural sector.