The inter-institutional negotiations (trilogue) on the regulation to reduce methane emissions were launched on Wednesday 30 August by representatives of the European Parliament, the EU Council and the European Commission.
As is customary during an initial trilogue meeting, the discussions were only opened, as confirmed to us by a source close to the matter, by the presentation by the parties of their position on this proposal issued by the Commission on 15 December 2021 (see EUROPE 12854/12).
This text sets standards for the measurement, reporting and verification of methane emissions from the energy sector, and also aims to rapidly reduce emissions through the mandatory detection and repair of leaks and a ban on venting and flaring.
On 19 December 2022 (see EUROPE 13087/24), the EU Council adopted its negotiating position with the European Parliament. In particular, the Member States want to make the deadlines for detecting methane leaks and the conditions relating to the obligation to repair these leaks more flexible (see EUROPE 13079/7).
At the time, this agreement was strongly criticised by the Commission (see EUROPE 13088/4), with Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson taking the view that the general approach “significantly reduced” the ambition of the initial proposal, both in terms of the provisions relating to the detection and repair of methane leaks and those concerning inactive wells, venting and flaring.
In Parliament, the proposal was referred to two committees: the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). On 26 April 2023 (see EUROPE 13170/7), these two committees adopted a joint report, which was approved by a large majority in plenary on 9 May 2023, with 499 votes in favour, 73 against and 55 abstentions (see EUROPE 13178/7).
The text tabled by co-rapporteurs Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA, German) and Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, French) includes several amendments to the initial proposal and stipulates that, by 31 December 2025, the Commission must propose a binding EU-wide methane emissions reduction target for 2030, covering all relevant emitting sectors.
In addition, Member States will have to set national targets for reducing methane emissions as part of their own national energy and climate plans. The text reinforces the monitoring and reporting requirements, by shortening the deadlines proposed by the Commission.
Following these initial exchanges, Ms Paulus expressed her delight on the X network (formerly Twitter): “Everyone says they want an ambitious law, which gives us hope for good negotiations!” (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)