BRUSSELS — The European Parliament voted on Thursday, October 22, to approve a three-year delay to the European Union's methane emissions rules for oil and gas imports, a longer delay than expected after pressure from governments including France and the United States, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters
At the vote, 341 EU lawmakers voted in favour of delaying the new methane monitoring and reporting rules for oil, gas and coal importers by three years, while 225 voted against and six abstained, the DPA news agency reported, citing the Parliament's position.
Source: DPA
The rules, part of EU methane legislation in force since 2024, were originally due to take effect on January 1, 2027. They would have required foreign oil and gas suppliers to the EU to monitor and report methane, a potent greenhouse gas, to a standard equivalent to the rules EU companies face.
Source: Reuters
"Under Parliament's proposal, importers of crude oil, natural gas and coal would have until May 31, 2031, to show that supply contracts concluded or renewed since August 4, 2024 cover only fuel subject to monitoring, reporting and verification measures equivalent to EU rules," lawmakers said in a statement.
Source: European Parliament statement via Reuters
Until a few weeks ago, the EU was set for a one-year delay — the delay the European Commission had proposed. Lobbying then intensified to push for three years, including from the Czech Republic and Italy, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters
The United States, Europe's biggest liquefied natural gas supplier, had already warned the EU in June that the methane law could disrupt fuel deliveries — a stance backed by companies including oil major ExxonMobil, Reuters reported.
Source: Reuters
"Importers have warned they may not be able to secure enough compliant supplies at a time when energy markets are strained and prices high due to the conflict in the Middle East," the European Parliament wrote in a press release, DPA reported. Environmental campaigners, however, expressed regret over the plans.
Source: European Parliament press release via DPA
Methane is the second-largest source of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions after carbon dioxide, according to the European Commission. Following Thursday's vote, EU lawmakers will now have to thrash out a final decision on the deadline with EU member governments, Reuters reported.