State-level CMM emissions

This report by Ember analyzes coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It compares officially reported fugitive emissions with satellite-based estimates and airborne measurements, finding that actual emissions in both states are significantly higher than reported, with particularly large discrepancies noted for surface mines in Queensland and overall totals in New South Wales.

• In Queensland, officially reported coal mine methane emissions reached a record high of 626 kt in 2020, representing a growth of 6% over 2019 and more than 350% over 1990 levels. Of these 2020 emissions, 58% originated from underground mines and 42% from open-cut mines.
• Official reports for New South Wales (NSW) showed a decline in methane emissions, with 379 kt recorded in 2020 and 339 kt in 2021. These figures were 40% and 55% lower than 1990 levels, respectively, primarily due to the closure of older, gassier underground mines, which account for over 82% of the state's reported fugitive emissions.
• Satellite data using TROPOMI indicates that Queensland's emissions are under-reported. In 2020, Kayrros data estimated emissions at 0.69 ± 0.12 Mt methane, which is 11% higher than the total reported fugitive emissions, despite only modeling four sub-regions. Other studies by Sadavarte and Palmer also found satellite-derived estimates to be higher than reported Scope 1 emissions, with Hail Creek surface mine showing estimates 2.4 to 12.9 times higher than reported values.
• Airborne measurements conducted in September 2023 over the Hail Creek mine found methane emissions were 4–5 times higher than reported. Direct sampling estimated 2.36 ± 0.46 MtCO2e per year, while LIDAR mapping estimated 2.77 ± 1.30 MtCO2e per year.
• Satellite estimates for New South Wales show a significant discrepancy compared to official reports. In 2020, the study identified 721 kt of methane (range 566–876 kt) while accounting for only about 61% of coal production, compared to the reported 379 kt. In 2021, the satellite estimate of 679 kt (range 533–825 kt) was 106% higher than the reported 329 kt, while capturing 64% of production.

APA

Ember (2025). State-level CMM emissions. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/state-level-cmm-emissions/

Chicago

Ember. State-level CMM emissions. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/state-level-cmm-emissions/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=State-level CMM emissions |date=16 April 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/state-level-cmm-emissions/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025statelevel, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{State-level CMM emissions}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/state-level-cmm-emissions/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }