Germany Seeks to Delay EU Methane Emission Rules Amid Supply Concerns

Berlin will seek to delay the rollout of key European Union rules regulating emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane, joining a growing coalition of EU member countries arguing the regulation could jeopardize the bloc's supply of oil and gas.

It follows sustained lobbying against the rules by the United States government and the fossil fuel sector.

"We urgently need a reworking of the methane regulation," Katherina Reiche, Germany's minister of economic affairs and energy, told reporters at a summit of European energy ministers in Luxembourg. "The methane regulation would prevent not only gas imports to Germany but also petroleum products from being imported from 2027."

She added: "We cannot put our security of supply at risk if the methane regulation remains in its current form," and called for a "postponement or an extension" of the rules.

Berlin's endorsement ramps up the pressure on the European Commission after 12 countries, including Italy, Poland and the Netherlands, called on the EU executive to reopen and delay the legislation, following a sustained campaign by industry.

Fossil fuel companies say new reporting and monitoring obligations coming into effect in January will be impossible to comply with in time, leaving them at risk of heavy fines.

"This is a matter of European competitiveness. We don't only support issues where we ourselves primarily benefit," Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch told reporters in response to a question from POLITICO. Asked whether Sweden — usually a vocal supporter of the green transition — supported controversial industry-backed analysis that the rules would disrupt supply, she said: "In short, yes."

The comments set up a conflict with EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen, who has consistently refused to revisit the rules. Spanish Energy Minister Sara Aagesen Muñoz warned that reopening the legislation could add to the legal uncertainty.

"We don't want to reopen something that is very important," she told reporters. "The credibility of the European Union depends on providing certainty. Once you approve legislation, you need to stick to it."