EU Parliament Moves Europe One Step Closer to Tackling a Growing Climate Concern
Statement by Bryony Worthington, Environmental Defense Fund Europe Executive Director
The European Parliament today voted for a measure requiring the European Commission to focus on reducing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which is responsible for about a quarter of today’s planetary warming. The decision comes as a recent International Energy Agency analysis finds that globally, the oil and gas industry can feasibly cut up to 75 percent of its current methane emissions and just the reductions at no net-cost would have the same climate impact in 2100 as immediately closing all the coal plants in China.
“This vote shows European leaders are starting to see methane reductions as a climate win. It’s an important recognition of the fact that data continues to underscore the urgency and economic opportunity in slashing emissions from one of its largest sources – the global oil and gas industry.
“Europe is a big consumer of natural gas and is globally the 7th largest emitter of oil and gas methane emissions, emitting the same amount as Iran and Mexico. Oil and gas methane reductions remain a powerful way to deliver climate action at low cost.”
-Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
GOP House Appropriators Are on the Wrong Track
July 26, 2024 -
Energy Permitting Reform Must Advance Climate Progress and Community Safeguards
July 26, 2024 -
EDF Heads to Court to Defend EPA Action to Identify Climate Pollution, Including Methane from Landfills
July 24, 2024 -
New DOE Transmission Grants Will Deliver Reliable Power, Lower Costs and Jobs to Communities
July 24, 2024 -
New analysis: If Duke Energy’s gas plant ambitions are approved, the average residential customer could pay nearly $2,100 more on power bills through 2038
July 23, 2024 -
President Biden’s Vital Climate Leadership “Delivered Real, Positive Benefits for Everyone”
July 21, 2024