EU states approve one-year delay to methane import rules

Under the agreement, importers must begin monitoring, reporting and verifying methane emissions from the oil and gas they buy abroad on 1 January 2028, rather than January 2027.

Reporting on the methane intensity of imported oil, gas and coal would move to 5 August 2029. Maximum intensity limits would take effect on 5 August 2031, a year later than originally planned.

The Irish Council presidency’s compromise retains the European Commission’s proposed one-year delay but also asks the Commission to assess, before 30 September next year, whether importers are able to comply with the rules.