New Report: Methane Emissions mapped across the Energy Community, opening the way for a region-wide approach 

The Energy Community Secretariat has published a new report providing the first consolidated snapshot of methane emissions across its Contracting Parties.¹ The report shows how gas operators across the region have voluntarily begun applying EU-aligned approaches to measuring and reporting methane emissions. 

While methane-specific reduction requirements are not incorporated into the Energy Community acquis, the report highlights the potential contribution of methane mitigation to meeting existing binding climate commitments. Measured using GWP20, mitigation could account for 53%–86% of 2030 climate target fulfilment in most Contracting Parties. This highlights methane reduction as a potentially powerful near-term complement to longer-term CO₂ cuts. 

A distinct emissions profile will require targeted action to achieve such reduction. That's because unlike the overall GHG emissions picture, where the energy sector dominates — agriculture and waste together account for more methane emissions than the energy sector in most Contracting Parties. This points to the need for a differentiated, sector-specific approach to methane mitigation across the region. 

Significantly, the report tracks full regional commitment to global methane initiatives that can help underpin Contracting Parties' domestic mitigation efforts. All Contracting Parties have signed the Global Methane Pledge, and the majority are members of the Global Methane Initiative, while companies across the region increasingly participate in UNEP’s OGMP 2.0 reporting framework. The region’s gas sector is also moving ahead: since 2020, gas transmission and major distribution system operators have voluntarily assessed methane emissions using the EU-aligned MARCOGAZ methodology, covering around 90% of transmission and 70% of distribution networks. 

Building on the region's existing engagement, the Secretariat sets out three areas for further action: improving methane quantification, deepening engagement with international methane mitigation initiatives, and developing circular economy solutions that can simultaneously cut emissions and strengthen renewable energy supply. 

This report was prepared pursuant to Article 16 of the Governance Regulation, through which the Energy Community Secretariat is supporting Contracting Parties in a mandatory consideration of policy options for addressing methane emissions and to work towards developing a strategic plan for methane at Energy Community level. 

¹Contracting Parties: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine