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EU steps up efforts to abate methane emissions at COP29
20/11/2024
News
The European Commission (EC) has launched a new Methane Abatement Partnership Roadmap to further accelerate the reduction of methane emissions associated with fossil energy production and consumption, in collaboration with a number of partner countries, international organisations, NGOs and development banks.
This new roadmap, announced at COP29 last week, provides directions for cooperation between fossil fuel importing and exporting countries, which will support companies in improving their monitoring, reporting and verification systems to reduce methane emissions.
Under the Global Methane Pledge, launched by the EU and the US, more than 150 countries are now implementing a collective goal of reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, from 2020 levels. The roadmap sets out a series of actions to be undertaken by both sides, such as the adoption of policies and measures including a robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system building on the principles of the UN Environment Programme’s oil and gas reporting and mitigation programme, the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. The roadmap also includes a project plan to abate emissions from existing assets, providing a clear timeline, investment plan and human resource needs.
These partnerships to accelerate the mitigation of methane emissions were announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at COP28 in Dubai and build on the Joint Declaration from Energy Importers and Exporters on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels signed by the US, the EU, Japan, Canada, Norway and Singapore at COP27. Following the launch of the roadmap, the first examples of partnership implementation will be showcased at COP30 in Brazil.
The Global Methane Pledge has generated unprecedented momentum for methane action, with endorsement from 158 countries so far. At the same time, the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 covers 42% of global oil and gas production, and more national regulations and initiatives have been adopted. On top of fostering global cooperation to reduce methane emissions, the EU has put in place a first-of-its-kind regulation to tackle harmful methane emissions not only in the EU, but also from imported fossil fuels.
While the Global Methane Pledge has been a catalyst for action, reports by the International Energy Agency’s 2024 Global Methane Tracker have shown that the world is not on track to reach a 30% reduction of methane emissions by 2030. The EC calls for further policies, additional transparent and measurement-based data and extensive investment plans to deliver on these targets.
Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, said: 'Reducing methane emissions from the energy sector is a low-hanging fruit for climate action. It makes economic sense. It indeed helps boost our energy security while reducing emissions. The roadmap we are launching today shows the way ahead in terms of fostering cooperation between importing and exporting countries. For the EU, it is clear: we will only be able to tackle methane emissions effectively if we work together across global supply chains with everyone involved.'
