German environmental group finds widespread non-compliance with methane reporting
An analysis by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) of over 800 German oil and gas companies reveals that approximately one-third are failing to submit required reports on methane emissions for 2024 and 2025.
Berlin – A significant portion of Germany's oil and gas infrastructure operators are violating their reporting obligations concerning methane emissions, according to an analysis by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). For the 2024 and 2025 reporting periods, roughly one-third of the designated companies reportedly failed to submit any reports, while many others submitted incomplete or erroneous documentation.
The EU's methane regulation mandates that operators of facilities such as LNG terminals, gas storage sites, and gas networks disclose their emissions. DUH's review indicates widespread non-compliance across these sectors, hindering transparency regarding the actual volume of methane released.
"Without proper measurement and documentation, it remains unclear how much methane is escaping into the atmosphere and contributing to climate warming," stated Sascha Müller-Kraenner, federal managing director of DUH. He criticized the situation as a "refusal to perform the work" by many companies and highlighted the lack of enforcement.
Compounding the issue, regulatory authorities in ten of Germany's sixteen federal states have not yet been appointed, despite a legal requirement to do so over a year ago. This administrative gap prevents penalties for non-compliance. DUH is urging the industry to immediately submit all missing reports and calling on state governments to designate the necessary authorities to enforce the methane regulation.