Maintain Compliance with New EU Methane Regulations

The European Union (EU) has recently enacted new regulations that significantly increase the measurement, reporting, and verification requirements for methane emissions in the fossil gas, oil, and coal industries. This regulation is a critical component of the EU's ambitious “Fit for 55” package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and it underscores the EU's commitment to addressing climate change through comprehensive environmental policies.

Key Elements of the New Regulation

The new regulation mandates that operators within the EU's fossil fuel sectors must:

• Measure emissions at the source: Accurate, real-time measurement of methane emissions is now obligatory.
• Submit monitoring reports: Operators are required to compile detailed reports of their emissions data.
• Verification by independent bodies: These reports must be verified by third-party independent bodies to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Adopt highest monitoring standards: The regulation calls for the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies and methodologies to ensure robust and reliable data.
• Progressive stringency for importers: Non-EU exporters of fossil fuels will gradually be required to adhere to similar monitoring, reporting, and verification standards as their EU counterparts. Producers must begin complying with European methane regulations in March 2025, and have until January 2027 to fully comply with the rules, or else they run the risk of their gas being blocked by the EU market.

This regulation is not only a significant step in the implementation of the European Green Deal and REPowerEU but also a powerful signal of Europe's determination to tackle harmful methane emissions both domestically and internationally. By extending stringent requirements to imported fossil fuels, the EU aims to mitigate the global impact of methane emissions, fostering a cleaner, more sustainable energy market worldwide.

EarnDLT's Role in Supporting Compliance

At EarnDLT, we understand the challenges and opportunities that these new regulations present for gas producers. Our Quantified Emissions Token® (QET) offers a robust solution for companies seeking to navigate and comply with these new standards. 

Here's how our innovative technology can help:

• Accurate and Verified Emissions Data: QETs store meticulously measured and verified emissions data, including methane intensity and carbon intensity, from each segment of the value chain. This ensures that all reported data meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability required by the new EU regulations.
• Immutable and Secure Data Storage: Leveraging blockchain technology, QETs ensure that all data is immutable—once data and attributes are encoded onto QETs and minted onto the blockchain, they cannot be anonymously modified or deleted. This provides an unparalleled level of data integrity, crucial for regulatory compliance.‍
• Flexible Verification Options: Our platform is designed to be compliant with leading global standards and offers producers the flexibility to choose their preferred third-party measurement and verification partners. This adaptability ensures that producers can maintain compliance with the EU's stringent requirements while optimizing their operational processes.

• Transparency and Trustworthiness: The inherent transparency and security of blockchain technology prevent double counting and ensure the trustworthiness of the reported data. This enhances the integrity of carbon accounting and builds trust with regulatory bodies and stakeholders.
• Global Compliance: For non-EU exporters, adopting QETs can facilitate compliance with the EU’s progressively stringent requirements by leveraging international standards and third-party measurement and verification providers, ensuring smooth market access and reducing the risk of regulatory penalties.

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Embracing the Future of Clean EnergyThe adoption of these new methane regulations marks a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat climate change. At EarnDLT, we are committed to supporting energy producers in achieving compliance and creating new pathways for downstream buyers to confidently meet decarbonization goals in alignment with the latest global standards. By harnessing the power of our Quantified Emissions Token®, companies can not only meet regulatory requirements but also lead the charge in environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.