Big gas is trying to cash in on Europe’s fossil fuel crisis – POLITICO
by Esther Bollendorff, fossil free program manager, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe; and Brandon Locke, associate director, global policy, methane pollution prevention, Clean Air Task Force (CATF) · POLITICOAs Europe grapples with spiking energy prices and debates how to strengthen its energy system, one issue has become the wrong target of criticism: methane rules.
The EU Methane Regulation decreases gas waste by requiring fossil fuel companies to monitor, report and reduce methane emissions — the second most potent greenhouse gas after CO2. It is the world’s first binding legislation of its kind, applying not only to domestic producers but also to imported fossil fuels. If fully implemented, it could reduce global methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by more than 30 percent.
This is not only a climate policy. It is also an energy security policy.