The European Union plans to delay new climate rules to limit methane emissions by another year in a bid to lower energy prices, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
Addressing the European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg, she reiterated that Europe faced pressures from high energy costs, suggesting that since the end of February "gas prices have risen by 140% while diesel prices have doubled."
"We will give flexibility to exporters for one more year on methane. This saves additional costs at a moment of crisis," von der Leyen said.
She added that the European Commission would launch a strategic dialogue regarding European refineries to bring down costs. Brussels would also propose measures in the coming months to increase electricity's share of overall energy demand.
EU rules aimed at reducing methane emissions from the energy sector have been in force since 2024. Beginning in 2027, companies are due to demonstrate for certain supply contracts that producers in the country of origin monitor and document their methane emissions to at least the same standard required of EU companies.
Last week, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said he had instructed his staff to examine options for postponing the rules' entry into force.
Once the commission has presented a formal proposal, EU member states and the European Parliament would have to back the delay.
The EU is struggling with a surge in energy prices since the beginning of the war in Iran in February.
Von der Leyen also called for a discussion on European refineries with the aim of lowering costs and ensuring the EU has "the supplies needed also for defense."
The commission president also urged EU countries to make full use of existing legislation and policy priorities to tackle price surges, including more flexible rules for state aid and the expansion of renewable power.
"We are all feeling these higher costs. Businesses are under high pressure. People struggle to pay their bills. And this could intensify as we head into winter. So, we need to act now," von der Leyen said.
