22.10.2026 12:17

New methane rules to ease high energy costs

The EPP Group today secured Parliament's backing to delay methane rules for energy imports by three years and to review Europe's readiness to implement them. The goal remains to cut methane emissions while maintaining reliable energy supplies and protecting families and businesses from rising energy prices.

"Today's vote marks an important step towards a more realistic and effective implementation of the EU Methane Regulation. The European Parliament has backed our proposal for a targeted three-year postponement, providing greater legal certainty, allowing verification systems to become fully operational and ensuring equal treatment of EU producers and importers," says Dimitris Tsiodras MEP.

"Our priority has always been clear: to safeguard Europe's energy security, protect businesses and consumers from already high energy prices, and preserve our methane reduction objectives. We are not suspending the Methane Regulation; we are ensuring that it can be implemented effectively. Europe can and must deliver on its climate commitments without risking energy supply disruptions, further increases in energy costs or damage to its competitiveness," stresses Tsiodras.

The European Commission must now report by 1 July 2029 on readiness to implement the rules and ensure secure energy supplies.

Note to editors

The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 185 Members from all EU Member States