The European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy (‘DG ENER’) unveiled elements of its strategy to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector on Friday 20 March in an online exchange with stakeholders.
As it does not include legislative measures (at least initially), the primary objective of this strategy will be to improve the measurement, quantification, reporting and verification of methane emissions in the European Union.
Precisely measuring these emissions remains problematic, as they come from many sources, both anthropogenic and natural, such as the exploitation of fossil fuels, the degradation of organic matter, animal husbandry, etc.
For example, while the Commission estimates that 33% of anthropogenic methane emissions are related to fossil fuels, this share could be higher, according to a recent study (see EUROPE 12433/11).
On the other hand, it is widely accepted that methane is currently the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2.
Details of the strategy. As a “holistic approach”, the strategy will cover the oil, gas (the whole supply chain) and coal sectors, degassing and flaring processes as well as leaks, explained Monika Zsigri, DG ENER Policy Officer.
Providing further details, Ms Zsigri explained that the Commission plans to rely on the European Copernicus programme (and other satellite data) for emission detection and validation, as well as on the ‘Oil and Gas Methane Partnership’ (OGMP). Launched in September 2014, this UN-supported initiative provides a platform for companies to report their methane emissions and share their actions and results with the public.
The strategy will also address how to encourage innovation in quantification and measurement methods and will pay particular attention to “super-emitters”, with 10-20% of emissions coming from identified emission hotspots.
The Commission would also like the data submitted to be verified by an independent institute. Fulfilling a variety of roles, the ultimate goal will be to improve the credibility and transparency of emissions data.
In the context of the revision of the European Regulation on Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E), scheduled for December 2020, DG ENER is exploring the possibility of including certain infrastructure designed to reduce methane emissions in the list of ‘projects of common interest’ (PCIs). These infrastructures could then benefit from certain advantages such as European funding, a possibility that the Commission seems to rule out for the moment.
Calendar. The Commission hopes to be in a position to present this strategy in the spring, probably in May, but no precise date has yet been set.
In addition, a study is being carried out to “identify knowledge gaps and potential emission hotspots”, assess existing policies and provide recommendations on improving measurement and reporting methods.
It should be published next August. Following this, the Commission plans to present legislation by the end of June 2021 with the aim of establishing a regulatory framework for the notification of emissions.
Reactions. While stakeholders generally welcomed DG ENER’s willingness to finally address the improvement of methane emissions data collection, several called on the Commission not to wait to take legislative measures to reduce methane emissions.
“We must not stop at counting [...] Only with a true incentive, gas suppliers will take the necessary measures to minimise their fugitive emissions”, said MEP Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA, Germany).
An opinion shared by Frida Kieninger and Poppy Kalesi, members of the NGOs Food&Water Europe and Environmental Defense Fund. They believe that with the data currently available, the fossil fuel industry could already reduce some of its methane emissions very easily and cheaply. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)