EU ambassadors back one-year delay of methane import rules to 2028

What the ambassadors agreed

On Friday, 6 November 2026, the ambassadors of the EU member states met in Brussels, and a majority voted to postpone the methane rules for oil, gas and coal importers by one year, so that they apply from 2028 instead of 2027. The Irish Council presidency announced the outcome. Austria was among the countries pushing for the delay, and 26 of the 27 member states voted in favour, with Spain the only country against. The stated aim is to relieve pressure on supply security for imported fossil fuels during the energy price crisis.

In favour26

Against (Spain)1

In favour

26 member states

Against (Spain)

1 member states

Data from the article text

Rules already in force and the contested deadline

EU methane rules have applied to the energy sector since 2024 and require operators of oil and gas installations to search regularly for larger leaks and repair them. Venting or flaring, which releases methane into the atmosphere, is restricted under certain conditions at these installations. The disputed part applies from 1 January 2027: for certain supply contracts, companies would have to show that the producer in the exporting country monitors and documents its methane emissions at least as carefully as the EU requires of its own companies. The current law is described as practically unworkable for importers, and exports of oil and gas to Europe could be endangered from 1 January without a delay. Importers who fail to comply would face high fines. The Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) says methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.

Parliament, industry and the review clause

The European Parliament wants a three-year postponement of the disputed parts of the law, which was drafted under former Commissioner Frans Timmermans, arguing that companies need more time to meet every requirement. Industry and the United States, which exports oil and gas to Europe, are also pressing for three years. The member states want an alarm mechanism, so that if the rules still prove unworkable after the summer of 2027, a further postponement could be decided. N-tv reports that in mid-2027 the European Commission is to check whether the required data are available and whether enough independent certification bodies exist. If not, the Commission would extend the rules again.

Germany's coalition dispute and the Dutch shift

The German federal government had initially been divided over the plan, but the black-red coalition settled the dispute on Friday. Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) and environment minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) agreed on a common line, and the government then voted in Brussels for postponing the requirements by at least one year. Schneider said Germany wants to hold on to reducing methane emissions. The Netherlands had first favoured a three-year delay, but Dutch climate minister Stientje van Veldhoven changed course because she feared that a longer postponement would reduce pressure on the European Commission to produce measures that make the rules workable.

What happens next

According to N-tv, the postponement must be adopted by the end of 2026, otherwise the rules take effect as originally planned. Negotiations in Brussels are expected to last several weeks. The Council of the 27 member states and the European Parliament still have to agree on how long the delay should be, and the gap between one year and three years is the main obstacle. If the delay is approved, the Commission's check in mid-2027 would decide whether the rules are postponed again.