Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) is challenging the position of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche (CDU), in a dispute surrounding the EU’s methane regulation. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt” (Friday edition), Schneider stated that he disagrees with the call by critics of the regulation for its postponement. He stressed that it would be impossible to pretend that methane emissions are not a serious issue, warning that delaying the implementation is not a display of pragmatism but rather an “open pass for continued neglect.”
Reiche, meanwhile, is advocating for a deferral of the implementation phase of the EU methane regulation, which is currently scheduled for January 1, 2027. This request stems from oil and gas exporting nations claiming they cannot meet the EU’s future conditions, threatening to cease concluding new supply contracts with European importers.
Schneider rejected this viewpoint, arguing that those who speak of being overwhelmed by the regulation are confusing convenience with impossibility. He emphasized Europe’s status as a large market and heavy consumer, declaring, “We have the power to set standards. And we should set them-without hesitation, without backing down.” As the SPD politician responsible for translating the regulation into national law, Schneider considers an alternative compromise solution proposed by the EU Commission to be acceptable. According to this proposal, the stricter rules would still apply beginning in January 2027, but sanctions would not be imposed immediately, allowing for pragmatic discussions regarding transitional periods for enforcement.
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to human-caused global warming. Calculated over 100 years, it is 28 times more potent in its climate impact than CO2. Because reducing methane emissions can yield noticeable effects more quickly than reducing CO2, scientists argue that controlling it can earn crucial time in the fight against global warming. This understanding led 111 countries to voluntarily commit to the “Global Methane Pledge” at the 2021 World Climate Conference, aiming to cut methane emissions by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030.
