Submission to the Clean Energy Regulator: Enhancing Method 2 for Coal Mine Emissions Reporting

The document critiques 'Method 2', a site-specific approach to estimating methane emissions at open-cut coal mines in Australia, noting that its compulsory implementation for large mines is undermined by measurement failures and a lack of independent verification. It advocates for the adoption of modern stationary and atmospheric measurement technologies and reforms in data collection and modelling to improve the accuracy of Australia's emissions inventory.

• Method 2, a site-specific approach for estimating methane emissions at open-cut coal mines, has become compulsory for large mines across Australia following recommendations to phase out state-wide average emissions factors in New South Wales and Queensland.
• The effectiveness of Method 2 has been compromised by critical measurement failures, a lack of independent verification, and gaps in transparency, which may distort climate policy at state and federal levels.
• There is an opportunity to improve emissions reporting accuracy through the adoption of modern stationary and atmospheric measurement technologies, alongside reforms in modelling and data collection.

APA

Wright, C. (2025). Submission to the Clean Energy Regulator: Enhancing Method 2 for Coal Mine Emissions Reporting. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/submission-to-the-clean-energy-regulator-enhancing-method-2-for-coal-mine-emissions-reporting

Chicago

Wright, Christopher. Submission to the Clean Energy Regulator: Enhancing Method 2 for Coal Mine Emissions Reporting. Ember, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/submission-to-the-clean-energy-regulator-enhancing-method-2-for-coal-mine-emissions-reporting.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wright |first1=Christopher |title=Submission to the Clean Energy Regulator: Enhancing Method 2 for Coal Mine Emissions Reporting |publisher=Ember |date=17 April 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/submission-to-the-clean-energy-regulator-enhancing-method-2-for-coal-mine-emissions-reporting |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wright2025submission, author = {Wright, Christopher}, title = {{Submission to the Clean Energy Regulator: Enhancing Method 2 for Coal Mine Emissions Reporting}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/submission-to-the-clean-energy-regulator-enhancing-method-2-for-coal-mine-emissions-reporting}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }