EU states back one-year methane delay, but leave door open for more

EU ambassadors have agreed to postpone methane regulations for oil and gas imports by one year, with a potential for further delays. The compromise maintains the original timeline proposed by the European Commission, requiring importers to monitor methane emissions starting January 1, 2028. Reporting on methane intensity will now begin on August 5, 2029, and maximum intensity limits will be enforced from August 5, 2031. Additionally, the EU Commission is tasked with evaluating importers' compliance capabilities by September 30, 2024.