Roadmap for the Development of an EU Methane Import Standard

Policymakers around the world are recognizing the need to drastically reduce methane emissions in parallel with carbon dioxide emissions. As a participant of the Global Methane Pledge, the European Union (EU) pledged in 2021 to “lead the way globally to address methane emission reductions.” 90% of the gas consumed in the EU is imported from outside of its borders, meaning that most of the methane emissions related to natural gas consumption in Europe are also emitted outside of its borders. Therefore, establishing a methane import standard will be beneficial in encouraging adoption of methane abatement best practices beyond EU’s borders.