European Parliament votes to delay EU methane rules until 2031

European Parliament lawmakers on Thursday rejected a European Commission proposal for a one year delay to the European Union methane rules, voting instead for a three year postponement until 2031, Euronews reported. The European Parliament position aims to balance climate goals with easing fuel supplies during energy security turmoil. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the European Commission had proposed delaying the new methane monitoring standards on fossil fuel imports from January 2027 until May 2029 following pressure from industry groups. [2]

Under the methane regulation, companies that import fossil fuels into the European Union must prove that external suppliers satisfy equivalent standards for monitoring, reporting, and verifying methane emissions, Euronews reported. Industry groups and governments had pressed for delays over compliance costs and energy security, as reported earlier by FTMQ News. [1][2]

The vote demonstrates deepening divisions concerning how much the European Union should ease environmental regulations while governments face elevated energy prices, supply disruptions, and concerns over industrial competitiveness, according to Euronews. [1]