Denmark is one of very few member states to have implemented the EU Methane Regulation both in a timely and ambitious manner, and the Danish methane law and executive order serve as inspiration for other countries. It sets a high but pragmatic standard with a focus on harmonisation across member states. At the same time, all member states are still awaiting the Commission's official guidelines, and in the vacuum where pressure on regulation continues to increase from many sides, Denmark's exemplary implementation should serve as a precedent so that the important harmonisation does not risk becoming a race towards the bottom. 

The EU itself calls the Methane Regulation one of the most important climate legislation in recent times, as it limits emissions from the extremely potent greenhouse gas methane, which, measured over a 20-year period, warms the atmosphere more than 80 times as much as CO2. 

But in recent months, the EU's regulation of methane emissions in the energy sector has once again come under intense pressure for deregulation from, among others, the US government, the fossil fuel and gas industry and individual EU member states. This is problematic because the regulation is central to limiting emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane and, not least, ensuring the EU's energy security in a time of geopolitical unrest. 

Therefore, the Green Transition Council, together with 25 international NGOs, calls on EU leaders to stay on track and ensure timely implementation of the regulation in line with its ambitions. Here, it is obvious to look to Denmark, which has shown that ambition on paper can also be translated into practice.

In the joint call, we emphasize that reopening or delaying regulation will only create further uncertainty at a time when the energy system is already under significant pressure. At the same time, it will undermine investors' confidence in regulation as a means to reduce risks in investment portfolios and support decarbonization goals.

When advocates of deregulation claim that supply pressures and the resulting price increases are due to the requirements of the EU Methane Regulation, this is a misdiagnosis. The fluctuations we are currently seeing are a direct consequence of geopolitical shocks such as the war in Iran and the accompanying destruction of energy infrastructure. Rather, the regulation supports the EU’s energy security by creating transparency and predictability – and any methane reduction that compliance with its requirements ensures is equal to captured gas. For example, the International Energy Agency estimates that methane reductions could have secured as much as 100 billion cubic meters of gas by 2024 – comparable to Qatar’s annual exports of liquefied natural gas.

The Commission and the Member States must therefore ensure a continued ambitious implementation of the Regulation and refrain from actions that delay or dilute it. This is necessary to mitigate climate change, ensure reduction targets and strengthen security of supply.

Read the invitation below:

Joint NGO letter: Methane transparency as a pillar of EU energy security