In a significant move towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the European Parliament and Council have officially adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on June 13, 2024. This landmark regulation targets methane emissions in the energy sector, marking a crucial step in the EU’s commitment to combating climate change and improving air quality.
The regulation mandates fossil gas, oil, and coal industries to measure, monitor, report, and verify their methane emissions using the highest standards available. This ensures transparency and accuracy in emissions data. Routine flaring and venting are now restricted to emergency situations only, aiming to significantly reduce unnecessary methane emissions from these activities.
Extending its reach beyond the EU, the regulation requires exporters of fossil fuels to the EU to comply with similar monitoring and reporting standards. This global approach ensures that methane emissions are reduced not just within Europe, but also from imported fossil fuels. Additionally, a rapid alert mechanism has been established to detect and respond to super-emitting events, acting as an early warning to prevent and mitigate incidents where facilities emit very high rates of methane.
The European Commission will oversee the implementation of the regulation, including setting up a monitoring tool based on satellite data to track methane emissions. This will help identify high-emitting sources and ensure compliance.
Methane is the second highest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide, accounting for around a third of greenhouse gas emissions. By adopting this regulation, the EU is taking a decisive step towards reducing methane emissions, which will have a significant impact on global warming and air pollution.
At GASTRAQ, we are committed to supporting our clients in meeting these new regulatory requirements. Our advanced emissions detection and quantification services are designed to help industries comply with the highest standards, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future.
More information is available on the European Commission website.
