Why Methane Matters

Published: 22 May 2026

methane emissions visible by Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)

#EUKICON26 || Day 1 || 02:00 PM

Participants examined why methane matters for climate minitgation and energy security. They discussed the challenges of implementing the EU Methane Regulation, and considered what this reveals about Europe’s wider climate ambition.

Summary

This workshop discussed why reducing energy sector methane emissions is a key opportunity to rapidly slow down global warming; the sources of methane emissions; how methane mitigation works in practice; the economic and political context of the EU Methane Emissions Regulation (EUMR); its main domestic provisions; and the challenges and opportunities for implementation in Central and Eastern Europe, including the first outcomes of the EUIKI-supported I-MER project. It also examined the importance of the EUMR provision on imported fossil fuels and its geopolitical implications.

The workshop consisted of a series of fast-paced mini sessions. Each session began with a short presentation by the two I-MER project leads, Corina Murafa of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and Raffaele Piria of Ecologic Institute, followed by lively discussion among participants. The main outcome was a better understanding of the issues at stake.

Facilitators

Corina Murafa, Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)

Raffaele Piria, Ecologic Institute