Communication on an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 14 October 2020, setting out a strategy for the reduction of methane emissions in the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The Impact Assessment for the EU's 2030 Climate Target Plan concluded that stepping up the level of ambition for reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions to at least 55% by 2030 would require an accelerated effort to tackle methane emissions.

This strategy sets out measures to cut methane emissions in Europe and internationally. It presents legislative and non-legislative actions in the energy, agriculture and waste sectors, which account for around 95% of methane emissions associated with human activity worldwide. The Commission is also set to work with the EU's international partners and with industry to achieve emission reductions along the supply chain.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Euronews: View, 10/01/2020: The EU can’t claim credibility on climate action without tackling methane gas emissions https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/10/the-eu-can-t-claim-credibility-on-climate-action-without-tackling-methane-emissions-view

EEB: Position, 29/07/2020: A EU methane strategy to reduce emissions from agriculture https://eeb.org/library/a-eu-methane-strategy-to-reduce-emissions-from-agriculture/

Deutsche Welle, 14/10/2020: Does the EU's methane strategy go far enough? https://p.dw.com/p/3juHY

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News

Reuters, 14/10/2020: EU considers binding methane emissions standards for gas https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN26Z1G0

AP News, 14/10/2020: EU to tackle methane gases, boost energy efficiency https://apnews.com/article/45767d1641682ee85f95a66a8fe0bc27

EurActiv, 14/10/2020: EU Commission paves way for regulating methane emissions in 2021 https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/eu-commission-paves-way-for-regulating-methane-emissions-in-2021/

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Official

European Commission: Methane emissions https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/methane-emissions_en

European Commission: Press Release, 14/10/2020: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Commission adopts EU Methane Strategy as part of European Green Deal https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1833

European Commission: Questions and answers: An EU Methane Strategy (14 October 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1834

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