© BMWK; data base: Federal Environment Agency

Methane emissions must fall more quickly

Methane is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases for the climate in the earth’s atmosphere. Whilst methane emissions have been falling steadily in Germany since 1990, the decline is too slow for us to reach our climate targets. The diagram shows which sectors are particularly important.

Viewed over a period of 100 years, the climate impact of methane (CH4) is roughly 28 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Around one-third of global warming is thus caused by the colourless and odourless gas, which mainly escapes when natural gas is extracted or biogas is produced, but is also released during the extraction and distribution of coal and oil. So it is crucial to reduce methane emissions if we are to attain our national and European climate targets.

New EU Methane Regulation is to take effect in 2024

The EU has been addressing this central climate issue since the end of 2021 via a new Methane Regulation, which is likely to take effect next year. It is to ensure binding rules for the European energy sector, since this is where methane emissions can be cut most quickly and most cheaply. The new Methane Regulation aims to cut methane emissions from the use of gas, oil and coal in line with the European Climate Law and to make a contribution towards the Global Methane Pledge, which envisages a 30% drop in methane emissions between 2020 and 2030.
The Regulation is to oblige operators of fossil fuel energy infrastructure to regularly measure methane emissions, to repair methane leaks in pipelines and other components, and to reduce the release and flaring of gas.