Letter: Methane emissions reduction: call for a proportionate, efficient and implementable EU Regulation

5th September 2023, Brussels

To: Raúl Fuentes Milani, Spanish Presidency Ambassador
Jutta Paulus, Rapporteur for the ENVI Committee
Pascal Canfin, Rapporteur for the ITRE Committee
Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy

Cc: Shadow Rapporteurs
Energy attachés
DG ENER

On behalf of GasNaturally, I would like to reiterate our commitment to tackle methane emissions and our support to the establishment and the implementation of EU Regulation in this field. We believe that such regulation will help strengthen our actions, while inspiring other regions and countries as part of global efforts to tackle methane emissions.

To make this a success, we emphasise that the forthcoming regulation should adhere to three key principles:

1. Proportionality: It is crucial that the regulation strikes a balance by avoiding overly prescriptive requirements that lack a positive net-environmental impact. We must ensure that any regulatory measures do not impose an undue economic burden on companies, consumers, and Member States.
2. Efficiency: The regulatory framework should be meticulously crafted, taking into account the cost-benefit analysis of its provisions. It is essential that these provisions align seamlessly with other pertinent political priorities and policy objectives within the energy sector.
3. Implementability: We acknowledge the unique characteristics of the sector and the limitations of current technologies and methods. Therefore, the regulation must consider the sector's specificities, the availability and feasibility of technological solutions, and the expert guidance of academia and competent authorities regarding methane leak detection and measurement.

In line with these principles and in view of the trilogues, we, as representatives of the natural gas industry across the entire value chain, have developed the attached set of recommendations that align with these principles.

We genuinely believe that by working together to refine and implement these principles and recommendations, we can make significant strides in addressing methane emissions effectively. Thank you for your attention and commitment to this crucial matter. We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue and collaboration to advance our shared goals.

Yours sincerely,
François-Régis Mouton de Lostalot-Lassalle,
Regional Director Europe, IOGP, and Co-Chair of GasNaturally

James Watson,
Secretary General, Eurogas, and Co-Chair of GasNaturally

About GasNaturally
GasNaturally is the partnership of gas associations (Eurogas, International Gas Union (IGU), International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Liquid Gas Europe (LGE)) that together represent the whole European gas value chain. Our members are involved in gas exploration and production, transmission, distribution, wholesale and retail operations, as well as gas in transport.

Annex: GasNaturally recommendations on the EU Methane emissions reduction Regulation

Download document