The Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) approved, on Wednesday 26 April by a large majority (114 votes in favour, 15 against and 3 abstentions), their negotiating position on the revision of the regulation to limit methane emissions.
“Today’s vote by the competent committees of the European Parliament is a general commitment to greater climate protection and energy sovereignty in Europe”, welcomed Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA, German), co-rapporteur of the report. She will now be accompanied by ENVI committee Chair Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, French), following the withdrawal of Silvia Sardone (ID, Italian), the other co-rapporteur.
The text proposed by MEPs: - extends the measures proposed by the Commission (see EUROPE 12854/12) to the entire value chain of fossil imports (gas, oil, coal); - includes a ban on venting and flaring of methane; - calls on the Commission to propose a methane reduction target for the relevant sectors by 2025, and; - requests that the petrochemical sector be included in the scope of the regulation (see EUROPE 13169/6).
“Methane is the second biggest contributor to climate change after CO2, and it is 80 times more harmful”, said shadow rapporteurs Jens Geier (S&D, German) and Günther Sidl (S&D, Austrian). “We got a good deal for the climate and a fair deal for the workers involved”, they said.
The draft report will be debated and voted on at the May plenary session of the European Parliament, before it begins interinstitutional negotiations with the EU Council this summer. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)