EU must take lead on reducing methane emissions in climate crisis now US cannot be relied upon say campaigners

BAKU: EIA, and other civil society organizations, welcome the launch of the European Commission’s roadmap for Methane Abatement Partnerships as a first step towards reducing methane emissions across the entire fossil fuel supply chain.

EIA Climate Campaigner Jack Corscadden said “Against the backdrop of the recent US election, EIA welcomes this initiative. With Trump’s election, the US can no longer be counted on to lead in the fight against the climate crisis. Continued EU commitment is essential to filling this leadership gap and driving forward climate action. This roadmap offers a valuable tool to sustain momentum in methane mitigation and inspire broader international cooperation.”

The proposed Methane Abatement Partnerships lay the foundation for a cooperation framework between importing and producer countries, to accelerate the reduction of methane emissions associated with fossil energy production and consumption.

Corscadden said: “When it comes to methane mitigation, we need all hands-on deck. These partnerships have the potential to catalyze action in countries currently lacking methane regulations by providing the necessary incentives to act swiftly.”

He added: “The roadmap is a good start, and EIA will continue to engage with the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure it delivers on its potential. The abatement measures to be deployed should be proven and effective at delivering sustained emissions reductions (e.g. leak detection and repair; limits to venting and flaring; technology standards), as we work towards the overall goal of phasing out fossil fuels. “

In the EU, methane emissions have received increased attention from policymakers in recent years with the creation of the Global Methane Pledge at CoP26 in 2021, followed by the adoption of the EU Methane Regulation in the energy sector in 2024. While the regulation will effectively reduce methane emissions linked to domestic fossil fuels, the approach to addressing imports is flawed, with no mitigation measures required until 2030.

Corscadden said: “The EU is the world’s largest importer of fossil fuels, importing over 90% of its annual consumption. The methane emissions linked to these fuels occur in the countries where they are produced. The EU Methane Regulation will not address these upstream emissions with the urgency required. We need to act now.”

“These partnerships offer an opportunity to strengthen the Methane Regulation by addressing critical gaps in the approach to imports, accelerating the timeline and mobilizing the necessary investment. If exporters to the EU were to put in place measures to limit flaring, they could increase gas exports by more than 45 bcm (billion cubic metres) using existing infrastructure. This is equivalent to almost 1/3 of Russian gas exports to the EU in 2021”.

EIA and other civil society organizations support the roadmap as a first step towards greater action, but it remains to be seen how it will be implemented in the EU.

Julian Schwartzkopff from Environmental Action Germany (DUH) said:

“The EU’s leadership on the reduction of methane emissions from fossil fuels is a beacon of hope with geopolitical uncertainties looming over this year’s climate conference. Now, words need to be followed by actions. We are counting on importers and exporters to fully commit to the reduction of methane emissions in fossil supply chains.”

CONTACTS FOR MEDIA

• Jack Corscadden, EIA UK Climate Campaigner, via jackcorscadden[at]eia-international.org
• Paul Newman, EIA UK Senior Press & Communications Officer, via press[at]eia-international.org

EDITORS’ NOTES

1. EIA investigates and campaigns against environmental crime and abuse. Its undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime, with a focus on elephants, pangolins and tigers and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops such as palm oil. It works to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, bycatch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Finally, it works to avert climate catastrophe by strengthening and enforcing regional and international agreements that tackle short-lived climate super-pollutants, including ozone-depleting substances, hydrofluorocarbons and methane, and advocating corporate and policy measures to promote transition to a sustainable cooling sector and away from fossil fuels. It uses its findings in hard-hitting reports to campaign for new legislation, improved governance and more effective enforcement. Its field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and it forms partnerships with local groups and activists and support their work through hands-on training.

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