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EU Delays Climate Rules Amid High Energy Prices, Warns of Tough Winter Ahead
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News18•29-09-2026, 22:23
EU Delays Climate Rules Amid High Energy Prices, Warns of Tough Winter Ahead
- •The EU proposes delaying new rules to cut methane emissions by one year to ease pressure on energy markets, citing "very high" oil and gas prices due to the US-Iran war.
- •EU energy chief Dan Jorgensen confirmed a challenging winter is approaching, with gas prices more than doubling in Europe.
- •The delay aims to calm markets and provide breathing room for member states, though the EU maintains its climate change objectives.
- •EU storage levels average 70%, but significant differences exist between countries (e.g., France 82%, Germany 57%).
- •Record diesel prices and a potential US diesel export ban could further worsen Europe's energy situation, according to the IEA head.
Key Questions Answered
The EU proposed pushing back the methane emissions rules by one year to relax pressure on energy markets and calm prices during a challenging winter caused by the US-Iran war and high oil and gas costs.
Storage levels average around 70 percent across the EU, with significant country-by-country differences such as France at 82 percent and Germany at only 57 percent.
Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned that Europe is going to enter a very difficult winter after attending talks in Dublin.
