Share this on social media
Parliament votes on EU methane regulation, with stricter rules for imports
(EurActiv, 9 May 2023) An ambitious new law to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector was approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday (9 May), despite a last-minute attempt by the far-right and conservative lawmakers to water down the regulation.
EU lawmakers meeting in Strasbourg voted with 499 in favour, 73 against and 55 abstentions on a draft Methane Regulation, confirming a stance adopted in late April by the Parliament’s environment and industry committees.
“Today’s vote is a commitment to more climate protection and energy sovereignty in Europe,” Green MEP and lead negotiator Jutta Paulus commented after the plenary voting session in Strasbourg.
“Without ambitious measures to reduce methane emissions, Europe will miss its climate targets and valuable energy will continue to be wasted,” she added.
The new law targets direct methane emissions from the oil, fossil gas, and coal industries. MEPs are also calling for the inclusion of the petrochemicals sector in these rules.
External link
EurActiv, 9 May 2023: Parliament votes on EU methane regulation, with stricter rules for imports
