The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), through its Faculty of Business Administration in foreign languages (FABIZ), is proud to coordinate the European project “I-MER: Implementing the EU Methane Emission Regulation”, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI).
Methane (CH4) is the most impactful GHG after CO2. It is responsible for about 30% of today’s global warming and, though short-lived, it has a warming impact 82.5 times stronger than CO2 over 20 years. Of all sources that emit methane (agriculture, waste and energy), the energy sector offers the most cost-effective and technically feasible options for cutting emissions.
Our project aims to accelerate CH4 reduction trajectories in RO and CZ by facilitating a stronger implementation of the upcoming EU Methane Regulation (EMR). This goal is fully aligned with the countries’ and the EU’s strategies and policies. RO & CZ make up roughly 1/4 of the EU’s energy sector CH4 emissions and have low institutional capacity.
Our target groups are government bodies, companies and civil society organisations (CSO) in Romania (RO) and Czechia (CZ), and the project supports them to effectively apply the EMR, a key instrument in the EU’s climate and energy policy. We foster dialogue between these actors and provide them relevant knowledge and support, e.g. analysis of satellite-based CH4 monitoring, business cases, good practice EMR implementation. High level (Minister) support for our approach is documented.
The main outputs are capacity improvements at governmental bodies; virtuous business cases for companies and nudges for executives; empowered and focused CSO. The outcome is a better EMR implementation and CH4 emissions reduction.
Project duration is from December 2024 until December 2026, and the countries involved are RO and CZ. Funding comes from the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), a program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), established in 2017, which aims to foster cooperation within the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE, Romania) – Coordinator
Founded in 1913, the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) is Romania’s leading institution for higher education in economics and business. ASE is recognized as an advanced research and education university, offering nationally and internationally accredited programs across economics, finance, business administration, and applied sciences. It consistently ranks among the top universities in Eastern Europe in QS and Times Higher Education rankings, and maintains active academic partnerships worldwide, contributing significantly to economic and policy research in the region.
Ecologic Institute (Germany)
Ecologic Institute is an independent, transdisciplinary research organization based in Berlin and Brussels. It conducts environmental research and provides policy analyses to support sustainable development. The institute is dedicated to preparing relevant sociopolitical aspects of sustainability research and contributing new knowledge to environmental policy. Its innovative research methods and practice-oriented approach ensure scientific excellence and social relevance.
Centre for Transport and Energy (CDE, Czechia)
Founded in 1998, CDE is a Czech non-profit non-governmental organization focusing on the environmental impacts of transportation and energy production. CDE aims to build and reinforce a wide platform of groups and individuals interested in working towards a sustainable transport and energy future, emphasizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF, United States)
EDF Europe is the European branch of the global nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. EDF Europe works to advance world-class science and align market forces to achieve ambitious environmental goals. It collaborates with farmers, policymakers, and businesses to develop and implement solutions that reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in agriculture and energy sectors, contributing to the EU’s climate targets.
Our project seeks to accelerate CH4 reduction in Romania (RO) and Czechia (CZ) by improving EMR implementation. Among the resulting outcomes are:
- Authorities in RO and CZ will strengthen their capacity and competence to implement EMR through best practice analysis, access to independent emissions data including satellite analysis, stakeholder roundtables, business engagement and increased public and civil society pressure.
- Targeted energy companies will be encouraged to invest more in methane mitigation through business case analysis, while institutional investors will be pushed to support EMR compliance and set performance targets for company leadership.
- Civil society organizations will enhance their focus on methane emissions and improve advocacy through engagement platforms, capacity-building activities, access to emissions data, and analytical support from the project team.
In terms of main activities:
- Benchmarking governance and resource needs for EMR implementation through annual country analyses
- Analysing regional methane emissions using satellite data to support independent verification
- Demonstrating the business case for methane reduction in Romania’s energy sector
- Identifying emission hotspots and asset ownership to enable targeted mitigation
- Hosting annual multi-stakeholder roundtables to align EMR compliance with business opportunities
- Engaging institutional investors to drive methane performance targets in high-emitting companies
- Supporting civil society with data, tools, and capacity-building to improve methane advocacy
- Communicating results and lessons through targeted outreach, events and an EU-wide online forum
The project:
Reports/deliverables:
- Implementing the EU Methane Regulation in Romania. A practical guide for public authorities – May 2025 (EN) | (RO)
Articles:
- Article: “Reducing methane emissions. Will Romania live up to expectations?”, Energynomics.ro Magazine, ISSN 2344-6447, vol 46, no. 1-2025, pag. 94-97″
- Article: “Reducing methane emissions in the energy sector: a priority for Romania”, Mesagerul Energetic Magazine, CNR-CME, ISSN: 2066-4974, vol. XXV, no. 239, pag. 12-14 “
Project Director:
Corina Murafa, E-mail: corina.murafa@fabiz.ase.ro
- Corina Murafa
- Cristian Bușu
- Flavius Darie
- Vasile Strat
- Theodor Cojoianu
- Valentin Lazăr
- Miruna Proscanu
- Lucian Pamfile
June 13, 2025
The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), through its Faculty of Business Administration in foreign languages (FABIZ), is proud to coordinate the European project “I-MER: Implementing the EU Methane Emission Regulation”, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI).
Methane (CH4) is the most impactful GHG after CO2. It is responsible for about 30% of today’s global warming and, though short-lived, it has a warming impact 82.5 times stronger than CO2 over 20 years. Of all sources that emit methane (agriculture, waste and energy), the energy sector offers the most cost-effective and technically feasible options for cutting emissions.
Our project aims to accelerate CH4 reduction trajectories in RO and CZ by facilitating a stronger implementation of the upcoming EU Methane Regulation (EMR). This goal is fully aligned with the countries’ and the EU’s strategies and policies. RO & CZ make up roughly 1/4 of the EU’s energy sector CH4 emissions and have low institutional capacity.
Our target groups are government bodies, companies and civil society organisations (CSO) in Romania (RO) and Czechia (CZ), and the project supports them to effectively apply the EMR, a key instrument in the EU’s climate and energy policy. We foster dialogue between these actors and provide them relevant knowledge and support, e.g. analysis of satellite-based CH4 monitoring, business cases, good practice EMR implementation. High level (Minister) support for our approach is documented.
The main outputs are capacity improvements at governmental bodies; virtuous business cases for companies and nudges for executives; empowered and focused CSO. The outcome is a better EMR implementation and CH4 emissions reduction.
Project duration is from December 2024 until December 2026, and the countries involved are RO and CZ. Funding comes from the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), a program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), established in 2017, which aims to foster cooperation within the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE, Romania) – Coordinator
Founded in 1913, the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) is Romania’s leading institution for higher education in economics and business. ASE is recognized as an advanced research and education university, offering nationally and internationally accredited programs across economics, finance, business administration, and applied sciences. It consistently ranks among the top universities in Eastern Europe in QS and Times Higher Education rankings, and maintains active academic partnerships worldwide, contributing significantly to economic and policy research in the region.
Ecologic Institute (Germany)
Ecologic Institute is an independent, transdisciplinary research organization based in Berlin and Brussels. It conducts environmental research and provides policy analyses to support sustainable development. The institute is dedicated to preparing relevant sociopolitical aspects of sustainability research and contributing new knowledge to environmental policy. Its innovative research methods and practice-oriented approach ensure scientific excellence and social relevance.
Centre for Transport and Energy (CDE, Czechia)
Founded in 1998, CDE is a Czech non-profit non-governmental organization focusing on the environmental impacts of transportation and energy production. CDE aims to build and reinforce a wide platform of groups and individuals interested in working towards a sustainable transport and energy future, emphasizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF, United States)
EDF Europe is the European branch of the global nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. EDF Europe works to advance world-class science and align market forces to achieve ambitious environmental goals. It collaborates with farmers, policymakers, and businesses to develop and implement solutions that reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in agriculture and energy sectors, contributing to the EU’s climate targets.
Our project seeks to accelerate CH4 reduction in Romania (RO) and Czechia (CZ) by improving EMR implementation. Among the resulting outcomes are:
- Authorities in RO and CZ will strengthen their capacity and competence to implement EMR through best practice analysis, access to independent emissions data including satellite analysis, stakeholder roundtables, business engagement and increased public and civil society pressure.
- Targeted energy companies will be encouraged to invest more in methane mitigation through business case analysis, while institutional investors will be pushed to support EMR compliance and set performance targets for company leadership.
- Civil society organizations will enhance their focus on methane emissions and improve advocacy through engagement platforms, capacity-building activities, access to emissions data, and analytical support from the project team.
In terms of main activities:
- Benchmarking governance and resource needs for EMR implementation through annual country analyses
- Analysing regional methane emissions using satellite data to support independent verification
- Demonstrating the business case for methane reduction in Romania’s energy sector
- Identifying emission hotspots and asset ownership to enable targeted mitigation
- Hosting annual multi-stakeholder roundtables to align EMR compliance with business opportunities
- Engaging institutional investors to drive methane performance targets in high-emitting companies
- Supporting civil society with data, tools, and capacity-building to improve methane advocacy
- Communicating results and lessons through targeted outreach, events and an EU-wide online forum
The project:
Reports/deliverables:
- Implementing the EU Methane Regulation in Romania. A practical guide for public authorities – May 2025 (EN) | (RO)
Articles:
- Article: “Reducing methane emissions. Will Romania live up to expectations?”, Energynomics.ro Magazine, ISSN 2344-6447, vol 46, no. 1-2025, pag. 94-97″
- Article: “Reducing methane emissions in the energy sector: a priority for Romania”, Mesagerul Energetic Magazine, CNR-CME, ISSN: 2066-4974, vol. XXV, no. 239, pag. 12-14 “
Project Director:
Corina Murafa, E-mail: corina.murafa@fabiz.ase.ro
- Corina Murafa
- Cristian Bușu
- Flavius Darie
- Vasile Strat
- Theodor Cojoianu
- Valentin Lazăr
- Miruna Proscanu
- Lucian Pamfile
