The EU is set to pass its first-ever methane regulation. The law will require fossil fuel firms to measure and report their methane emissions and to regularly check their sites for leaks of the powerful greenhouse gas. It will also outlaw most cases of flaring and venting by 2027. 

“This first-of-its-kind regulation enables the EU to curb methane emissions in a cost-effective manner, and address venting and flaring of gas, which make economically and environmentally little sense,” said Kadri Simson, EU commissioner for energy. “This will benefit our planet and will also avoid wasted resources in tight global gas markets.”

After carbon dioxide, methane is the biggest greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. It has more than 80 times the warming potential of CO2 over two decades and is responsible for about 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures, highlighting the importance of tackling its impact to avoid the worst impacts of climate change...