The European Union delays methane reporting rules due to the US-Israel war in Iran The Council of the European Union agreed to delay for one year key environmental regulations requiring oil, gas and coal importers to monitor and report methane emissions, directly citing severe volatility in the global energy market resulting from the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran. Under the negotiating position adopted by member states on Friday, the monitoring, reporting and verification obligations of fossil fuel importers will be pushed back from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2028, according to a proposal presented by the European Commission following intense lobbying by France and Washington. According to Al Jazeera, European officials defined the delay as a necessary compromise to ensure energy imports and reduce the increase in local fuel prices. "There are significant pressures on global energy markets, which are driving up energy prices across the EU," declared Dara O'Brien, Ireland's climate, energy and environment minister, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency. The decision sets up the upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament, which previously voted in favor of a broader three-year delay.

The European Union delays methane reporting rules due to the US-Israel war in Iran The Council of the European Union agreed to delay for one year key environmental regulations requiring oil, gas and coal importers to monitor and report methane emissions, directly citing severe volatility in the global energy market resulting from the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran. Under the negotiating position adopted by member states on Friday, the monitoring, reporting and verification obligations of fossil fuel importers will be pushed back from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2028, according to a proposal presented by the European Commission following intense lobbying by France and Washington. According to Al Jazeera, European officials defined the delay as a necessary compromise to ensure energy imports and reduce the increase in local fuel prices. "There are significant pressures on global energy markets, which are driving up energy prices across the EU," declared Dara O'Brien, Ireland's climate, energy and environment minister, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency. The decision sets up the upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament, which previously voted in favor of a broader three-year delay.