Policy Voices | Cutting methane, cutting uncertainty: energy security and simplification

Methane is often overlooked in climate debates, yet it is a powerful driver of global warming. Far more potent than CO₂ in the short term, cutting methane emissions today can slow warming within the next decade. For Europe, tackling methane is not just about the climate: it also strengthens energy security, improves transparency in the energy system, and reduces waste across oil, gas and coal supply chains. In this episode of Policy Voices, host Davide Sofia explores the EU methane regulation and its role in shaping a cleaner, more secure and more reliable energy future. He speaks with Dr Léa Pilsner of Environmental Defense Fund Europe, who explains how the regulation establishes monitoring, reporting, and leak detection, including for imported fossil fuels, and why these measures are a practical opportunity to make rapid progress on emissions. The conversation continues with Ursula Woodburn of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the Corporate Leaders Group Europe, who reflects on the broader policy landscape. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for Europe’s industrial transformation, the impact of the simplification agenda, and the critical decisions ahead as the EU looks towards 2030.