The European Commission has proposed imposing methane emissions limits on EU gas imports starting 2030, a move that would pressure the bloc’s international fossil fuel suppliers including the U.S. to cut leaks of the potent planet-warming gas, reported news agency Reuters.
The proposal which has been seen by Reuters on Wednesday and dated Oct. 23 is a response to pressure from the European Parliament and some EU countries including France.
“Failure to comply shall be disincentivised, taking security of supply considerations into account,” said the draft proposal, made during EU negotiations on the upcoming methane-cutting law.
If the draft proposal is approved, the Commission would set out the details in an “implementing act” at a later date, it said.
German lawmaker Jutta Paulus, a lead negotiator on the law for the EU Parliament, welcomed the move to address imported gas. “However, 2030 is too late for action,” she said.
Methane is the main component of the natural gas that countries burn in power plants and to heat homes. It is a greenhouse gas and considered the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide.
