State-level CMM emissions

The report finds that officially reported coal mine methane emissions in Queensland and New South Wales are significantly under-reported. In Queensland, TROPOMI-based satellite estimates for 2020 showed emissions 11% higher than the state's total reported fugitives, despite only modelling four sub-regions. In New South Wales, satellite estimates for 2020 and 2021 identified methane levels nearly double the official reports, despite covering only approximately 61-64% of the state's coal production. Specific site analysis of the Hail Creek mine via satellite and aircraft measurements showed emissions 2.4 to 12.9 times higher than reported values.

• Satellite data indicates that coal mine methane emissions in Queensland are higher than official reports. In 2020, Kayrros data estimated emissions at 0.69 ± 0.12 Mt methane, which is 11% more than the total reported fugitive emissions for the state, even though the model only covered four sub-regions.
• In New South Wales, satellite estimates for 2020 and 2021 significantly exceed official reports despite covering only a portion of the state's production. In 2020, the study identified 721 kt of methane (range 566 – 876 kt) compared to the reported 379 kt, while accounting for approximately 61% of production. In 2021, the estimate was 679 kt (range 533 – 825 kt) against a reported 329 kt, representing a 106% increase while capturing 64% of production.
• Analysis of the Hail Creek mine in Queensland shows extreme under-reporting. Satellite studies by Palmer and Sadavarte estimated emissions 2.4 to 12.9 times higher than reported values. Additionally, aircraft measurements from September 2023 using direct sampling and LIDAR mapping estimated emissions were 4–5 times higher than reported.
• Official reporting in New South Wales showed a decline in emissions from 1990 to 2021, primarily due to the closure of older, gassier underground mines. Reported emissions in 2020 were 40% lower than in 1990, and 55% lower by 2021.

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} }