EU Commission seeks feedback on methane strategy

Image Credit: Martin Adams

By Tom Carter, Senior Associate

The EU is marching forward in its efforts to implement the ambitious European Green Deal (EGD), recently kicking into gear the process of dramatically reducing methane emissions throughout the continent and globally. While not as prevalent an emission as carbon dioxide, methane has a much higher global warming potential, which means that an equivalent amount of methane will trap more heat in the atmosphere than CO2. 

Almost all human methane emissions come from energy, agriculture, and waste. The European Commission will develop an integrated strategy addressing all three sectors through improved data reporting, voluntary initiatives, and legislative action to understand and address emission sources. The methane reductions will support the EGD target of EU climate neutrality by 2050. Another purpose of the plan is to reduce emissions outside Europe through leadership, example, technology development, and directly promoting and supporting similar action internationally.

The Commission’s first step is to gather public input towards the development of a strategic plan for reducing methane emissions. Comments and suggestions on the Roadmap can be provided before August 5.

This is an early opportunity for interested stakeholders to help shape future regulation that may well have global reach.

Provide feedback on this initiative here.

Want to learn more about the EU Green Deal?

For more details about our perspective on the European Green Deal, check out Amplia Group’s four-part blog series on the EGD. Meet our Sustainability team, composed of experts in EU policy, sustainability, and marketing and public affairs.