Skip to content
Magazine
Friday, August 1, 2025
SUBSCRIBE
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
SUBSCRIBE

Biomethane and hydrogen to lead the shift from natural gas, MEPs say

Marta Pacheco by Marta Pacheco
13 February 2023
in European Parliament News

Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) New measures to decarbonize and secure the EU gas market were put to vote by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) Committee, in order to promote biomethane and hydrogen as the bloc attempts to shift from fossil gas. 

At stake are two legislative acts, a regulation and a directive, to facilitate access to the grid for renewable and low-carbon gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen. The draft directive was adopted with 62 votes to 2, with 7 abstentions whereas the draft regulation received 54 votes in favor, against 17, and 1 abstention.

The legislation would also create a certification system for low-carbon gases and ensure that consumers can switch suppliers more easily to choose renewable and low-carbon gases over fossil fuels in their contracts.

In line with the REPowerEU targets, MEPs said that by the end of 2030, EU countries should ensure collectively at least 35 billion cubic meters of sustainable biomethane. This would be produced and injected into the natural gas system, annually, with the aim of replacing 20% of Russian natural gas imports.

“This vote is the next step towards a climate-neutral Europe. The European Parliament allows — in contrast to the Commission’s proposal — more certainty for investments in hydrogen infrastructure based on the existing natural gas grid, instead of imposing restrictions on investment. We call for gas, hydrogen and electricity infrastructure to be planned jointly to better coordinate energy systems in the future,” said MEP Jens Geier.

For end consumers, Geier said, hydrogen is to be prioritised in sectors that are hard to decarbonise in order to support the European industry’s transformation and save greenhouse gas emissions. 

MEPs added that hydrogen corridors, identified in the REPowerEU plan, should be supported by adequate infrastructure and investments. The aim is to ensure that enough cross-border capacity is available to establish an integrated European hydrogen market — the so-called “hydrogen backbone” and enable hydrogen to move freely across borders.

“Special support should be given to upscaling renewable and low-carbon gases in our coal regions. We are also strengthening the joint gas purchasing scheme and making all gas contracts in the EU more transparent,” said MEP Jerzy Buzek.

Caving to fossil fuel lobbies

The NGO Global Witness said the Parliament failed to back a managed phase-out for the fossil fuel that is at the heart of the climate and cost of living crises. 

Dominic Eagleton, senior gas campaigner at Global Witness said the ITRE vote was an opportunity for policymakers to agree on a plan for a managed phase-out of gas. 

“Instead, MEPs have caved to the demands of the fossil fuel lobby by agreeing a mish-mash of policies that hands more control of our energy system to the fossil gas industry, and ensures that we will keep burning fossil gas to produce hydrogen,” condemned Eagleton.

MEPs gave the green light to initiate negotiations with Energy ministers, which will start in March.

“It’s up to national energy ministers to change tack next month and push for a comprehensive fossil gas phase-out,” added Eagleton.

Related News:

  • Portugal kicks off first injection of green hydrogen and natural gas in the network
  • Hydrogen Council says Europe leads in the hydrogen race
  • EU Commission proposes to shift funding away from gas
  • MEPs defend hydrogen and sector integration to curb emissions
Tags: Biweekly MartaBrussels LatestEuropean UnionhydrogenNews
Next Post

Can Tens Unit Cause Heart Attack (Potential Risks)

Latest post

EU-elections-UK

EU elections: UK looks on from the “outside”

1 year ago
Galeries-Royales-Saint-Hubert

What Makes Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert an “Institution”?

1 year ago

Most Read

    Follow Brussels Morning
    Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

    Browse Important News

    Belgium News
    Brussels News
    Culture and Society News
    Economy News
    EU Institutions News
    European Commission News
    European Council News
    European Parliament News
    Europe News
    Health And Fitness News
    Southeast Europe News
    Sustainable Perspective
    World News
    Diplomacy News
    US Elections News

    About Us

    Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

    More Info

    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookies Policy

    Join Our Newsletter

    Brussels Morning Newspaper – All Rights Reserved © 2024

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Belgium News
      • Belgium Police News
      • Brussels News
    • Brussels Bubble
      • European Parliament News
      • European Commission News
      • European Council News
    • Wider Europe
      • Member States
    • World News
    • Business & Society
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Culture & Society
    • Policy Talks
      • Place de la Bourse
      • The Macro-Economist
      • Sustainable Perspective
      • Ambassador’s Corner
      • The American Angle
      • Southeast Europe
    • Print Magazine

    Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT