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- News Desk
- Source: European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20261021IPR48321/methane-rules-parliament-backs-longer-delay-for-energy-importers-and-producers
The European Parliament voted on Thursday to postpone methane monitoring and reporting obligations for importers of crude oil, natural gas and coal by three years, going two years beyond the delay proposed by the European Commission. Members of the European Parliament adopted their position by 341 votes in favour, 225 against and 6 abstentions, according to a statement published by the Parliament.
Key facts
- The European Parliament backed a three-year postponement of certain methane obligations for oil, gas and coal importers by 341 votes to 225, with 6 abstentions.
- Under the Parliament's position, importers would have until 31 May 2031 to show that supply contracts concluded or renewed since 4 August 2024 cover only fuel subject to monitoring, reporting and verification measures equivalent to EU rules.
- EU producers and importers would first report the methane intensity of fossil fuels placed on the EU market by 5 August 2031, instead of 5 August 2029.
- The extended deadlines would not apply to oil, gas and coal from countries subject to EU sanctions restricting imports of these substances.
- The Commission would have to report by 1 July 2029 on implementation and on the security of energy supply.
Why is Parliament seeking more time?
The Commission had proposed a one-year postponement of certain importer obligations due to apply from 1 January 2027, along with methane intensity reporting due by August 2028. Importers have warned that they may not be able to secure enough compliant supplies while energy markets remain strained and prices high because of the conflict in the Middle East.
Members of the European Parliament accepted the case for postponement but argued that a longer, three-year extension was needed. Under their proposal, importers reporting on efforts to bring older contracts into line would also work to the new date of 31 May 2031.
What changes for EU operators?
The Parliament also wants to give EU oil and gas operators three more years to submit verified reports combining source-level and site-level methane measurements. The new deadlines would be February 2030 for operated assets and August 2031 for non-operated assets.
Are sanctioned countries covered?
Members of the European Parliament agreed that the extended timeline should not benefit energy imports from countries the EU has sanctioned. The existing schedule would continue to apply to oil, gas and coal originating in, or exported directly or indirectly from, countries subject to EU sanctions that prohibit or restrict imports of these substances.
To prevent circumvention, importers would have to report these volumes separately, including when they form part of mixed cargoes. The Commission would publish and update an indicative list of the countries concerned.
What oversight does Parliament want?
Members of the European Parliament want the Commission to report by 1 July 2029 on how the importer and methane intensity provisions are being applied. The report would cover national penalty regimes, the accreditation of verifiers, recognition of compliance solutions, progress on the methane intensity methodology and maximum values, and the security of supply situation.
Where needed, the Commission should propose changes to the regulation if implementation problems persist or security of supply is threatened.
What happens next?
The Parliament is now ready to begin negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law. It handled the file under its urgent procedure to deliver legal certainty quickly and wants the amending regulation to enter into force the day after it is published in the Official Journal.
The original regulation on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector entered into force on 4 August 2024. It sets rules for measuring, reporting and verifying methane emissions, for finding and repairing leaks, and for limiting venting and flaring, and it is described as the world's first comprehensive legislation that also regulates methane emissions linked to imports of oil, gas and coal.
Source: European Parliament
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