The political conflict within the German government regarding the European Union’s Methane Regulation has escalated, leading to sharp criticism from Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) aimed at his cabinet colleague, Katherina Reiche (CDU). Speaking to Spiegel, Schneider stressed that the Methane Regulation is existing EU law that member states are obliged to implement. He affirmed that the government has clearly stated its position: Germany does not support any changes to the regulation. Schneider added that even if Reiche has developed a differing position privately, it does not alter Germany’s stance as an EU member.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is approximately 28 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period than carbon dioxide. The EU Methane Regulation mandates that importers of natural gas, crude oil, and coal must provide information on methane emissions across international supply chains-such as those occurring during gas extraction and transport. It also requires rapid leakage cleanup and efforts to reduce the flaring and venting of gas.
The regulation has faced criticism from major energy exporters like the United States, who have threatened to halt oil and gas deliveries. Consequently, some EU member states, including Czechia, have requested a three-year postponement of the rules for importers. Reiche supported this initiative at a meeting of EU energy ministers at the end of June, which caused friction with Schneider. As a countermeasure, the EU Commission proposed to member states that no penalties would be imposed for violations of the regulation until 2029.
Reiche, however, criticized this proposal on Tuesday, stating, “The proposed solution does not convince me.” She explained that while the Commission maintains the companies’ legal obligations, it only recommends that member states fundamentally not sanction violations between 2027 and 2029. This arrangement, she argued, leaves the obligations in place-and thus the legal risk for companies-which undermines legal certainty.
Schneider also indirectly criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who has largely remained detached from the conflict. Schneider pointed out that the draft for implementing the regulation, which had been finalized through coordination between the Environment and Economy Ministries, has “been in the Chancellery for weeks.” He labeled this bureaucratic delay as the source of legal uncertainty for businesses involved.
