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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Jørgensen at the French G7 Presidency's International High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Event on Methane Action Paris, 4 May 2026 Minister. Excellencies. Distinguished guests. Friends: My deep thanks to the French G7 Presidency for hosting this event. The current energy crisis is a stark reminder that Europe is too dependent on imported fossil fu...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Jørgensen at the French G7 Presidency's International High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Event on Methane Action Paris, 4 May 2026 Minister. Excellencies. Distinguished guests. Friends: My deep thanks to the French G7 Presidency for hosting this event. The current energy crisis is a stark reminder that Europe is too dependent on imported fossil fuels, and that our way forward is more homegrown energy. And while we transition to cleaner, homegrown energy, we need to make sure that the environmental impact of our imports is addressed and no molecule is wasted. Let me begin with some sobering data. The IEA estimates that – in 2024 alone – over 350 billion cubic metres of gas were lost to flaring, venting, and leakage worldwide. This is three times what the closure of the Strait of Hormuz removed from global markets to date. Every cubic metre that is leaked heats the planet, instead of a home; It reduces crop yields, instead of prices; And it weakens energy sovereignty, instead of strengthening it. This shows that methane abatement and energy security are not competing priorities. They are the same priority. This priority is reflected in the EU's Methane Regulation. It establishes binding measurement, reporting, and verification requirements, both within our borders and crucially for the energy we import. We are committed to its full and pragmatic implementation. And we are equally committed to implementing it pragmatically as the Regulation matters both for emissions and our Security of Supply. The Commission will shortly publish two Recommendations clarifying how the Regulation can be implemented in complex supply chains. We will outline how penalties should be applied in a way that supports compliance, without undermining security of supply. European Ministers have backed this approach to make sure that the Methane Regulation achieves its objectives without causing a risk to security of supply or an irritant to trade. Because I want to be clear: this is not a European effort. It is a global one. We are proud to anchor our Regulation in the United Nations Environment Programme Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. It remains the gold standard for transparent, measurement-based accountability, and our key metric for compliance. As we have just heard, measuring methane is most of the battle. We call on all fossil fuel producers and operators worldwide to adopt the OGMP framework and to work closely with the International Methane Emissions Observatory. We also extend an open invitation to join our Global Methane Pledge. We continue to co-convene this Pledge with Canada and we support further action by partners. I am proud to support the UK-led COP30 Statement on Drastically Reducing Methane Emissions in the Global Fossil Fuel Sector. So let me invite you all to join us. Because together we chart a path toward fossil fuel markets with near-zero methane intensity. The breadth of this gathering is itself a statement of intent. Look at who is here today: ministers and industry leaders, civil society and international institutions from every region. And the momentum is real. Let me give you some examples. In February, the Libyan National Oil Corporation joined OGMP 2.0. Across Southeast Asia, the Petronas-led ASEAN Methane Leadership Programme is sharing practical methane measurement and abatement expertise. And in Brazil, new methane regulations under development will set an important precedent for the wider region. These represent structural shifts in how the global energy sector governs itself. Resource efficiency and environmental stewardship are now the expectation, not the exception. We of course recognise that ambition must be paired with solidarity. Not everyone can embark on this journey themselves. I look forward to the panel later today on what support is available to finance this work. Dear friends, to conclude: Methane is the single fastest lever we have to limit near-term warming. We can no longer wait to pull this lever. The tools exist. The frameworks are in place. The case is proven: by science, by economics, and by the hard lessons of recent crises. The time to act is now. Let's not waste it. Let's work together. Thank you. SPEECH/26/987 Press contacts: Anna-Kaisa ITKONEN (+32 2 29 57501) Cristiana MARCHITELLI (+32 2 29 89407) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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