Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem

This report by Ember analyzes the underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Indonesia, arguing that current official figures significantly underestimate the actual environmental impact. The document highlights gaps in the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, the exclusion of underground mines, and the use of outdated emission factors, which may undermine Indonesia's commitments under the Global Methane Pledge.

• Indonesia's official reported coal mine methane (CMM) emissions are significantly lower than independent estimates. While the government reported 128 kt CH4 in 2019, satellite data suggests emissions could reach 750 kt CH4, and mine-level data estimates suggest they could be as high as 875 kt CH4.
• The Indonesian government has overlooked emissions from underground coal mines in its official reporting. The addition of the Qinfa underground coal mines alone is projected to add at least 332 kt CH4 annually, which would more than triple the 2019 official CMM estimate.
• Indonesia uses inaccurate and outdated methodologies for calculating methane emissions. The country employs a low emissions factor of 0.3 m3 CH4/t (recommended only for overburden depths less than 25 m), despite mines in East and South Kalimantan having depths of 30 m and 60 m. Additionally, it uses a 1996 GWP factor of 21, whereas the latest IPCC report suggests a GWP of about 30.
• Future CMM emissions in Indonesia could potentially reach 1007 kt CH4 per year when accounting for measurement adjustments and projected production increases. This is equivalent to 30 million tonnes of CO2, exceeding the 23.5 million tCO2e emitted by over 200 thousand hectares of forest and land fires in 2022.
• CMM emissions are the fastest growing emission sub-category within Indonesia's energy sector, increasing by an average of 12% annually since 2000. Reported emissions rose from 16 kt CH4 in 2000 to 128 kt CH4 in 2019.
• Despite being a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), Indonesia lacks a comprehensive action plan for methane reduction. Its Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) currently only specifies mitigation plans for the waste sector, with fossil-fuel methane mitigation largely absent from official UNFCCC documents.

APA

Ember (2024). Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/uncovering-indonesias-hidden-methane-problem

Chicago

Ember. Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem. 2024. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/uncovering-indonesias-hidden-methane-problem.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem |date=12 March 2024 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/uncovering-indonesias-hidden-methane-problem |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2024uncovering, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/uncovering-indonesias-hidden-methane-problem}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }