On Wednesday 8 July, the European Commission published the roadmap for its future strategy to reduce methane emissions in the European Union in order to combat climate change (methane is the second biggest greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide) and contribute to cleaner air.
According to the roadmap, the strategy will focus on the three sources responsible for almost all anthropogenic methane emissions: energy, agriculture and waste.
It will include efforts to improve the measurement and reporting of methane emissions from different sectors in the EU, as well as “voluntary initiatives” to tackle emissions where they are known and understood.
In the medium term, “legislative action will follow these voluntary initiatives, ensuring compliance where necessary”, says the Commission.
In addition, the strategy will aim to identify actions to improve methane collection from agriculture and the waste sector for potential use as an energy source, while taking into account the international dimension of methane emissions.
Public consultation on the roadmap is open until 5 August.
As regards the timetable, the Commission hopes to present the strategy before the end of the year, without giving a precise date for the moment.
To view the roadmap and access the public consultation: https://bit.ly/3fgPcZD (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)