Emissions accounting variability

Satellite analysis indicates that fugitive methane emissions from Australian open-cut coal mines are increasing, contradicting a decline in company-reported figures. This discrepancy is attributed to the adoption of 'Method 2', a site-specific emissions estimation approach that allows companies to move away from higher state-based averages. In New South Wales, where state-based factors are higher, 75% of open-cut mines use Method 2, contributing to a reported emissions decrease of 65–70% according to Reputex. Ember's reconstruction of emissions using the state-based 'Method 1' shows a closer correlation with satellite data, which found emissions 90% to 107% higher than reported figures for 2020 and 2021 respectively.

• Satellite data shows an increase in fugitive emissions from open-cut coal mining, which contradicts the decline seen in official company-led estimates.
• The transition from state-based (Method 1) to site-specific (Method 2) emissions estimation has led to a significant drop in reported emissions; Reputex estimates this shift has consistently reduced reported fugitive methane emissions by 65–70%.
• There is a stark difference in the adoption of Method 2 between Australian states: in 2023, the Climate Change Authority estimated that 75% of open-cut coal mines in New South Wales used Method 2, compared to only 25% in Queensland.
• In New South Wales, satellite estimates for 2020 and 2021 identified fugitive emissions that were 90% and 107% higher, respectively, than reported emissions, showing a closer correlation with a reconstructed inventory based on state-level Method 1 factors.
• The site-specific Method 2 is now mandatory for open-cut mines under the Safeguard Mechanism producing over 10 million tonnes per year and will become the industry standard for all Safeguard reporting coal mines in 2026.

APA

Ember (2025). Emissions accounting variability. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/emissions-accounting-variability/

Chicago

Ember. Emissions accounting variability. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/emissions-accounting-variability/.

Wikipedia

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

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025emissions, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Emissions accounting variability}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/emissions-accounting-variability/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }