Fossil fuel industry leverages EU economic concerns to weaken methane regulation
By
Kim O’Dowd, Jack Corscadden, Tabea Pottiez
4d ago· 5 min readenOpinion
80/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
Score80TypeopinionSentimentvery negative
Summary
The article argues that the EU Methane Regulation (EUMR) is at risk of being weakened or dismantled due to industry lobbying and a political climate in Brussels that blames climate legislation for economic difficulties. It highlights how the 'Draghi report' and a growing 'simplification agenda' are being used by fossil fuel interests to gut methane regulations, setting a dangerous precedent for the oil and gas industry to strong-arm EU policy-making.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThe EU Methane Regulation (EUMR) might be the next casualty of a dangerous dynamic in Brussels.
When major economic issues emerge, EU decision-makers reflexively blame climate legislation rather than weighing evidence.
Industry actors have never been better positioned to influence EU policy-making.
The 'Draghi report' gave political cover to a simplification agenda that increasingly trumps climate action.
EU methane regulation might be the next casualty of a dangerous dynamic in Brussels: If industry suffers for whatever reason, policymakers reflexively blame climate legislation.
