Climate Change (Methane) Regulations 2026.

The Climate Change (Methane) Regulations 2026, is Gibraltar subsidiary legislation made under section 64 of the Climate Change Act 2019 and section 13 of the Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026. The Regulations implement provisions relating to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector and support the statutory duty to promote technologies, practices and processes that control, reduce or prevent Gibraltar emissions in the energy sector. The instrument applies to oil and fossil gas exploration and production, fossil gas gathering and processing, natural gas transmission and distribution, underground storage and LNG facilities, but excludes wells and coal mines where those categories do not operate within the scope of the Regulations in Gibraltar. The Regulations designate the Minister responsible for the Environment as the Competent Authority and confer supervisory, investigatory and enforcement powers. Operators must take appropriate mitigation measures to prevent and minimise methane emissions, submit monitoring and emissions reports, quantify methane emissions at source and site level, obtain verification of reports, and protect confidential information where applicable. They must also prepare leak detection and repair programmes, conduct LDAR surveys, repair or replace components emitting methane above prescribed thresholds, keep records of leaks and repair decisions, and use commercially available technologies providing long-term protection against future leaks. The instrument prohibits venting except in emergencies, malfunctions or strictly necessary circumstances, and prohibits routine flaring. Flaring is permitted only where alternatives such as re-injection, on-site use, storage or dispatch to market are not feasible for non-economic reasons, and flare stacks or combustion devices must meet prescribed efficiency requirements. Importers of crude oil, natural gas or coal must provide information on methane-related measures and, from specified dates, demonstrate equivalence of monitoring, reporting and verification measures and report methane intensity. The Regulations establish inspection powers, administrative sanctions, appeals, offences for obstruction and false or misleading information, complaints procedures, public availability of reports, guidance, transitional provisions, periodic review and fee recovery.