The methane, a greenhouse gas with warming capacities far superior to those of CO₂, finds itself at the heart of a new political controversy: President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for a delay in the implementation of the European regulation that was due to oblige member states to detect and seal leaks of this gas. This decision, announced as the energy crisis pushes governments to reassess their priorities, risks slowing down the expected progress on methane emission reduction.
Announcement details: who, what, when
On September 30, 2026, the French government officially requested that the European Commission postpone the entry into force of the methane leak regulation. The text, initially scheduled to be applied from 2027, would have required gas infrastructure operators to implement surveillance systems based on satellite data and ground sensor networks to detect leaks in real time. The request for postponement was motivated by the 'energy crisis' that Europe is currently experiencing, according to statements made by the Prime Minister during a press conference. No precise figures were communicated regarding the desired delay, as the information is 'not confirmed at this stage'.
This request is part of the European climate legislative package, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The methane regulation, developed jointly by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, represents one of the key pieces of the greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy, specifically targeting the fossil fuel sector where leaks are difficult to quantify. France, which had initially shown support for this measure, now finds itself in a delaying position, sparking mixed reactions within the European Council.