EU Council proposes one-year delay to certain methane obligations
The Council of the European Union adopted a position on 6 November 2026 seeking to postpone several energy-sector methane obligations by one year. The text still requires negotiations with the European Parliament.
The mandate would move monitoring, reporting and verification for gas, crude-oil and coal imports to 1 January 2028 from 2027. Methane-intensity reporting would shift to August 2029 and maximum levels to August 2031.
The Council cites energy-supply pressures. It also asks the Commission to check before 30 September 2027 whether practical implementation conditions are in place.
EUobserver notes that the review could allow further delays. The proposed timetable has not yet replaced current deadlines: the legislative amendment remains to be concluded.