The debate surrounding the EU Methane Regulation has intensified within the German government. According to reporting from “Handelsblatt”, which cited two internal memos, Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) appears to have violated an internal governmental agreement. She reportedly promised Brussels Germany’s support for suspending the regulation, stating that failure to do so would jeopardize fuel and gas supplies.
Prior to a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels on June 26th, the first memo documented discussions involving the Ministry of Economics and Environment, the Chancellery, the Ministry of Finance, and the Foreign Office. While this document acknowledged problems caused by the regulation, it only suggested that sanctions might be eased as a solution.
However, the second internal memo indicates that Reiche allegedly did not adhere to the agreed-upon strategy. In this memo, she highlighted the lack of legal certainty, which was preventing contract signings for the coming year and thus threatening supply security. The document further states: “Therefore, Germany supported the Czech initiative.” This referenced an initiative proposed by Czechia aimed at suspending the entire regulation. The memo suggests that Germany’s support would allow the suspension plan to achieve a qualified majority within the EU.
The EU Methane Regulation aims to reduce climate-damaging methane emissions in the energy sector. Starting in 2027, gas and oil producers must prove to EU importers that they adhere to extensive requirements for detecting and reducing methane emissions-a requirement that has drawn protest from several exporting countries and industry associations.
