disruption of the energy supply due to the Iran war; EU wants to delay methane emissions regulations

disruption of the energy supply due to the Iran war; EU wants to delay methane emissions regulations

The European Union is considering a one-year postponement of the implementation of methane emission regulations for oil and gas imports following the disruption in global energy supplies due to the Iran war and the growing concern about fuel supplies in the winter.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Tuesday that the delay would not be longer than a year, although some member states have called for more time.

The regulation was due to take effect on January 1, 2027, and would require foreign oil and gas suppliers in the EU to monitor and report methane emissions.

Methane is the second largest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide. The European Union's methane law, the first of its kind in the world, was enacted to address the emission of this greenhouse gas, but it faced increasing political pressure after the disruption of energy supplies caused by the Iran war. Mr. Jorgensen said in the European Parliament that the responsible departments in the European Commission are being asked to investigate the possibility of delaying the import regulations. He added that the member states must ensure that they are ready to implement the regulations after this date.