Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026

Coal mine methane (CMM) emissions remained steady at approximately 34.7 million tonnes in 2023 despite rising coal production, indicating a failure to align with the Global Methane Pledge. The report highlights a critical data gap, estimating that 89% of emissions were unreported to the UNFCCC in 2023 and that 87% of global production relies on generic emission factors rather than direct measurement. While satellite monitoring is increasing, it currently captures only 10% of hard coal production. Technically, 54-63% of CMM emissions could be mitigated by 2030 using proven technologies, with drainage station capture offering significant potential at negative net cost and ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidation capable of cutting nearly a quarter of emissions.

• Global coal mine methane (CMM) emissions have not decreased since the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, remaining steady at approximately 34.7 million tonnes in 2023, even as global coal production rose from 8,100 million tonnes in 2021 to over 8,650 million tonnes in 2023.
• There is a severe lack of transparency and accuracy in national reporting; in 2023, only 23 of 73 coal-producing countries submitted data to the UNFCCC, leaving 89% of global CMM emissions unreported. Furthermore, 87% of global coal production is estimated using generic emission factors rather than direct mine-level measurements.
• Independent estimates frequently diverge from official government figures. For example, in South Africa, IEA estimates for CMM emissions were 2,300% higher than UNFCCC-derived values, and GEM estimates were 1,800% higher.
• Satellite monitoring is expanding but remains insufficient; while 71% of coal production is in regions with favourable conditions for detection, satellites have only observed 10% of global hard coal production.
• Proven abatement technologies could reduce global CMM emissions by 54-63% by 2030. Ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidation could cut emissions by 23.7% with an investment of $2.5 billion USD, while drainage station capture offers 19% of total abatement potential, with 62% of that available at negative net cost.
• The cost of reducing CMM emissions by half is relatively low compared to industry earnings, estimated at just 16% of annual global coal mining profits, which were approximately $23.7 billion USD in 2025.

APA

Horner, R., & Assan, S. (2026). Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2026/04/Global-Coal-Mine-Methane-Review-2026.pdf

Chicago

Horner, Rebekah, and Sabina Assan. Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026. Ember, 2026. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2026/04/Global-Coal-Mine-Methane-Review-2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Horner |first1=Rebekah |last2=Assan |first2=Sabina |title=Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026 |publisher=Ember |date=29 April 2026 |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2026/04/Global-Coal-Mine-Methane-Review-2026.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{horner2026global, author = {Horner, Rebekah and Assan, Sabina}, title = {{Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2026/04/Global-Coal-Mine-Methane-Review-2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }