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EU climate package risks locking in gas use, campaigners warn
(Climate Home News, 15 Dec 2021) The gas industry is set to continue to dominate EU decision-making on energy infrastructure, under a proposed reform of the EU gas market published by the European Commission on Wednesday.
Brussels unveiled part two of a legislative overhaul to cut the bloc’s emissions by at least 55% between 1990 and 2030 and put it on track for 2050 climate neutrality.
The package of proposals includes a reform of EU gas market aimed at integrating low-carbon gases such as hydrogen into the network. It creates a new market and governance structure for hydrogen, requires oil and gas operators to find and fix methane leaks, and bans venting and flaring of greenhouse gases.
“Today’s proposals are designed to make sure that the role of natural gas in our energy system declines and that greener options like renewables, hydrogen, biomass and biogas increase,” EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson told a press conference.
But the gas industry gets a central role in deciding the future of the EU’s energy infrastructure, raising concerns about locking in polluting systems.
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Climate Home News, 15 Dec 2021: EU climate package risks locking in gas use, campaigners warn
