Part of the new proposals include efforts to tackle emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 86 times more powerful than CO2 over a 20-year period.

Methane emissions are one of several reasons why climate campaigners oppose blue hydrogen made from natural gas with carbon capture and storage, a largely untested technology promoted by the fossil-fuel sector that could enable hydrocarbons to be used for decades to come as part of a net-zero scenario.

The European Commission will require the oil, gas and coal sectors to measure, report and verify methane emissions, and proposes strict rules to detect and repair methane leaks and to limit venting and flaring.

It also plans to use monitoring tools to ensure transparency of methane emissions from EU oil, gas and coal imports, a move that will pressure exporters to offset their emissions or look for other markets.

The commission said it will “engage in a diplomatic dialogue with our international partners and review the methane regulation by 2025, with a view to introducing more stringent measures on fossil fuels imports once all data is available.”

The new rules would require companies to measure and quantify asset-level methane emissions at source and conduct comprehensive surveys to detect and repair methane leaks in their operations.

In addition, the proposal also bans venting and flaring, except in narrowly defined circumstances.

“We are proposing a solid legal framework to better track and reduce this powerful greenhouse gas, helping us to fulfil the global methane pledge [launched last month at COP26] and tackle the climate crisis," said Frans Timmermans, executive vice-president for the European Green Deal.

The goal is to slash emissions in theoil gas and coal sectors by 80% by 2030 and to also “trigger action” on methane outside the EU.

“Our proposals also strengthen the security of gas supply and enhance solidarity between [EU] member states to counteract price shocks and make our energy system more resilient,” said energy commissioner Kadri Simson.

Golden age or greenwashing? Mixed reaction as EU unveils new hydrogen and gas market proposals