Gas prices may rise due to methane emissions
00:48
Poland is one of the leading EU countries that emit the most methane, one of the three strongest greenhouse gases. However, Polish air pollution with this gas may be significantly underestimated. This is a problem because soon the law will force us to monitor methane emissions.
Last year, plant operators were required to pay PLN 0.11 for each metric tonne of identified methane leakage. Meanwhile, the emission of a tonne of CO2 under the EU ETS cost an average of over €53 in 2021. In December, the prices of ETS allowances even exceeded €90 (PLN 400 per tonne).
However, the growing awareness of the influence of methane on heating the atmosphere will soon make its emissions subject to monitoring. In the next steps, the operators and end-users will be charged with the costs of monitoring and reducing methane.
The European Union and 105 other countries (excluding Poland) already signed the Global Methane Pledge during the COP 26 summit in Glasgow. It is a declaration of the fight against this greenhouse gas. This means that methane emissions will be costly in the near future.
