11 EU Countries Urge 3-Year Delay to Methane Rules as Gas Supply Fears Mount
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jun 25
11 EU Countries Urge 3-Year Delay to Methane Rules as Gas Supply Fears Mount
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jun 25
Summary
Eleven EU countries led by the Czech Republic and Slovakia asked the European Commission to postpone key methane-rule obligations by at least three years, saying 2027 enforcement could disrupt gas and oil imports.
The group argues the Commission's planned three-year waiver of penalties is too weak because it is non-binding, leaving importers exposed to legal uncertainty as they negotiate long-term supply contracts.
Qatar, Algeria and Nigeria are among exporters warning the rules could push cargoes to less regulated markets, while the 11 capitals say Middle East instability and winter demand risks could raise EU energy prices.
Environmental groups reject the supply argument, saying the law does not ban imports and that compliant global gas supply already exceeds EU needs by more than three times.
The dispute lands before EU energy ministers meet in Luxembourg on June 26, with the bloc balancing methane cuts against energy security after adopting its first sector-wide methane framework in 2024.
Can the EU enforce its climate laws when major energy suppliers threaten to divert supplies to other markets?
Is delaying methane rules a pragmatic security move for the EU or a major setback for global climate goals?
EU Methane Rules 2024: Balancing Climate Ambition, Energy Security, and the Push for Delay
Overview
The EU's new methane rules have sparked debate, with some countries calling for a delay due to concerns about supply shortages and higher costs. However, a recent Rystad Energy report finds that there is already a large supply of natural gas meeting EU emission standards—three times more than current imports—and no evidence of significant price increases. These findings directly address fears about market disruptions, suggesting that the stricter rules may not threaten energy supply or affordability as much as some worry. The discussion highlights the balance between climate goals and energy security in EU policy decisions.