EU launches roadmap with partners at COP29 to reach the goal of reducing methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030

At COP29 in Baku, the European Commission has launched a new roadmap for a methane reduction partnership to further accelerate the reduction of methane emissions associated with fossil energy production and consumption, in collaboration with partner countries, the International Energy Agency and a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This new roadmap provides a blueprint for cooperation between fossil fuel importing and exporting countries, which will help companies improve their monitoring, reporting and verification systems to reduce methane emissions.

Launching the partnership roadmap at an event yesterday, Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said: “Reducing methane emissions from the energy sector is an easily achievable goal of climate action. It makes economic sense. Indeed, it contributes to strengthening our energy security while reducing emissions. The roadmap we are launching today shows the way forward in terms of fostering cooperation between importing and exporting countries. For the EU, it is clear: we can only tackle methane emissions effectively if we work together in all global supply chains and with all stakeholders”.

Under the Global Methane Emissions Reduction Commitment, launched by the EU and the US, more than 150 countries are already pursuing the collective goal of reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels .This new roadmap sets out a number of concrete actions to be taken, including a robust monitoring, reporting and verification system based on the principles of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), as well as a project plan to reduce emissions from existing assets, providing a clear timeline, investment plan and human resource requirements.

These partnerships to accelerate the mitigation of methane emissions were announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at COP28 in Dubai and build on the “Joint statement by energy importers and exporters on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels” signed by the European Union, the United States, Japan, Canada, Norway and Singapore at COP27. Following the launch of the roadmap, the first examples of implementation of the partnership will be showcased at COP30 in Brazil.

More information: European Commission.