Enhancing the implementation of EU Methane Emission Regulation in Romania and Czechia to accelerate methane reductions through government capacity building, civil society advocacy, and business engagement.
Climate Policy Climate Strategies and Plans
Czech Republic, Romania
12/24 - 12/26
National governments, Non-governmental organisations, Private sector
759,610.46 €
Corina Murafa
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a short-term global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide, contributes to about 30% of global warming. Addressing methane emissions, particularly from the energy sector, is critical for meeting the European Union’s climate targets for 2030. The EU Methane Emission Regulation (EU-MER), which became effective in August 2024, is a key tool to achieve these reductions. However, countries like Romania and Czechia face significant challenges in implementing these regulations, including capacity limitations, insufficient data interpretation, and limited collaboration between stakeholders.
In Czechia, methane reduction strategies are largely absent from national policies like the State Energy Plan and Climate Protection Policy. Romania faces similar gaps, with underreported methane emissions from its substantial fossil fuel industry. Both nations, as signatories of the Global Methane Pledge, need to translate commitments into actionable measures. This project directly addresses these gaps by supporting effective EU-MER implementation, aiming to reduce methane emissions and help achieve EU climate goals.
The project accelerates methane reductions in Romania and Czechia by strengthening the implementation of the EU Methane Emission Regulation. The initiative enhances government capacity through training, independent reporting reviews, and the integration of cutting-edge tools like satellite-based emissions analysis.
Concrete measures include organising stakeholder roundtables to foster dialogue between government agencies, fossil fuel operators, and civil society. The project equips civil society organisations with advocacy frameworks, user-friendly data tools, and capacity-building workshops, empowering them to influence policy. For businesses, the project creates tailored case studies to encourage investments in methane mitigation technologies, targeting both fossil fuel operators and institutional investors.
By addressing capacity, fostering collaboration, and enhancing data-driven decision-making, the project ensures effective methane regulation, paving the way for reduced emissions and improved climate outcomes in both countries.
Last update: February 2025