<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/eu-agrees-law-to-curb-methane-emissions-fossil-fuel-industry>
"The EU has struck a deal that will force the fossil fuel industry to rein in
dangerous methane pollution.
Under the proposed law, the first of its kind, coal, oil and gas companies
would be required to report their methane emissions and take steps to avoid
them. The measures include finding and fixing leaks, and limiting wasteful
practices such as venting and flaring gas by 2027.
Jutta Paulus, a German MEP with the Green grouping who worked on the proposal,
said: “Finally, the EU tackles the second most important greenhouse gas with
ambitious measures. Less methane emissions mean more climate protection and
more energy sovereignty.”
Methane has more than 80 times the global heating power of carbon dioxide over
a 20-year time span but does not last as long in the atmosphere. Cutting
methane emissions is seen as a cheap and easy way to stop extreme weather
growing more violent in the short-term.
The new EU rules, which were agreed on Wednesday by the European parliament and
European Council, mean fossil fuel companies must try to repair leaks no more
than five days after finding them, and fully fix them within a month. By the
end of next year, operators will have to survey their existing sites and submit
action plans to find and fix methane leaks.
The rules will also tackle imported fuels, which experts say could raise the
bar for fossil fuel companies around the world. Analysis by the environmental
nonprofit organisation Clean Air Task Force last month found global methane
emissions from oil and gas could decrease by 30% if foreign suppliers were held
to the same standards as domestic ones."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
