In order to reduce methane (CH4) emissions, the European Commission intends to follow a holistic approach covering the three sectors responsible for the vast majority of anthropogenic methane emissions in the European Union: agriculture (responsible for 53% of emissions), waste (26%) and energy (19%). This is indicated in a draft version of the future European Methane Strategy obtained by EUROPE on Tuesday 25 August.
ENERGY. In the energy sector, in 2021, the European institution should present a legislative proposal on mandatory monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of all methane emissions, based on the methodology developed by the Oil and Gas Methane Reduction Partnership (OGMP).
In addition, the Commission will propose “an obligation to improve the detection of [methane] leaks” and to remedy such leaks on all natural gas infrastructure as well as on any other infrastructure that produces, transports or uses natural gas.
On the other hand, the document does not include any concrete proposals on the possible establishment of binding standards for companies in the gas sector. It simply states that the Commission “will explore the feasibility and added value of possible performance targets or standards for natural gas as means to further incentivise methane emission reduction in the EU”.
Other avenues mentioned in the document include the possibility of including methane emission reduction projects in the forthcoming revision of the Regulation (1315/2013) on the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) (see EUROPE 12485/10).
By 2025, the Commission will also consider whether legislative action to prohibit the venting and regular flaring of gas is appropriate. The same goes for the introduction of a more precise standard for combustion efficiency to further reduce fugitive emissions and emissions due to incomplete combustion.
Agriculture. With regard to emissions from agriculture, in the first half of 2021, the European institution intends to set up an expert group with the aim of improving the monitoring of CH4 emissions by the Member States through better collection of a range of data relating in particular to livestock management, feed management and feed characteristics.
In addition, the 2021-2024 strategic plan of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme should include research programmes focusing on the development of technological and natural solutions to reduce methane emissions from the agricultural sector.
Waste. As regards the waste sector, the document states that the Commission will consider further action to improve the management of landfill gas, minimise its adverse effects on the climate and exploit any potential energy gains in 2024 as part of the review of the EU's Landfill Directive (2018/850).
On the basis of the results of an ongoing review of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271) and a possible review in 2023 of the Directive (86/278) on the use of sewage sludge in agriculture, the Commission will also consider further measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, in particular through better management of sewage sludge.
At the international level, the European institution intends to promote the establishment of an independent international mechanism to collect, compile, verify and publish data on anthropogenic methane emissions at the global level, within the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
After carbon dioxide (CO2), methane is the second most important greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Its global warming potential (GWP) is 28 times higher than that of CO2 over a 100-year period, and 84 times higher on a 20-year scale, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The final version of the strategy is expected to be presented in September or October.
See the draft strategy: https://bit.ly/2QoyOvq (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)