The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a one-year delay to the European Union's methane emissions rules for oil and gas imports, according to officials and reports.
The rules were originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Under the regulations, foreign oil and gas suppliers to the EU would be required to monitor and report methane emissions associated with their supplies. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and the second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide.
Under the proposed changes, oil and gas importers would be granted an extended deadline until May 31, 2029 to demonstrate that their imports of oil, gas, and coal during 2028 complied with methane monitoring rules comparable to those applied within the EU. This means foreign suppliers of these fuels would be required to provide that information.
The proposal follows pressure from multiple governments. France urged the European Commission to postpone the methane rules, while the United States and energy companies raised concerns about their impact on fuel supplies and importers' compliance obligations. More than a dozen EU member states, including Germany, called for a delay or suspension, citing concerns that the requirements could create additional costs and legal uncertainty for suppliers.
The European Commission stated in a statement that the one-year postponement of the import-related provisions aims to help avoid additional pressure on the security of imported fossil fuel supplies amid the current geopolitical context. Europe faces tighter gas markets and concerns over energy security, according to officials.
The methane rules were designed to require foreign oil and gas suppliers to the EU to monitor and report emissions of the greenhouse gas, establishing compliance standards for imported energy sources.