EUROPEAN COMMISSION INITIATIVES ON METHANE EMISSIONS AND THE RENOVATION WAVE

Brussels, 14 October 2020

The European Commission’s initiatives on Methane Emissions and the Renovation Wave contribute to cost-effective greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction across the EU, on the path towards climate neutrality by 2050.

***

Regarding the Methane Strategy, the Chair of GasNaturally’s Steering Committee, François-Régis Mouton, stated: “We appreciate the Commission’s approach to support industry-led voluntary initiatives while preparing EU legislation which builds on the progress achieved so far. The EU gas industry remains strongly committed to reducing methane emissions as an important step to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Our Members are already taking decisive steps to better assess, document, and reduce methane emissions.”

François-Régis Mouton also stressed the importance of a robust innovation agenda. “As gas will continue to play a key role in the EU’s energy landscape, creating incentives to promote innovation and new technologies and practices in tackling methane emissions across the European gas supply chain should be among the priorities of the EU’s agenda on decarbonisation. New technologies and practices – aircraft, satellite or drone-based measurements, digitalization – have the potential to increase the cost-effectiveness of methane reductions over time. Therefore, policy should be flexible to allow for the inclusion of such solutions.”

GasNaturally members stand ready to support the Commission in developing a well-structured, robust, and fit for purpose Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system. We also welcome the initiative to establish an independent international methane emissions observatory. We believe that such an observatory will help improve credibility and transparency.

GasNaturally is a co-signatory of the Gas industry declaration on the Commission’s Methane Strategy.

***

Regarding the Renovation Wave initiative, François-Régis Mouton stated: “While good insulation would increase the energy efficiency of Europe’s building stock, modern gas technologies on and off the grid also have strong potential to achieve further GHG emissions reductions. As non-condensing boilers still represent over 50% of all heating appliances installed in the EU, consumers need support for replacing inefficient heating systems with cleaner alternatives, such as condensing natural gas and LPG boilers.” This would also contribute to growth and job creation, as new boilers are manufactured in the EU and can run on renewable gases, biomethane, hydrogen, and bioLPG, produced with European technology.

Press contact: GasNaturally Secretariat, info@gasnaturally.eu