In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk

The report finds that global coal mine methane (CMM) emissions may be up to twice as high as government figures reported to the UNFCCC. It highlights a systemic failure in measurement, noting that 97% of reported emissions rely on generic emission factors rather than direct measurement. The analysis identifies 22 countries that may be underreporting emissions by more than 100%, with severe discrepancies noted in South Africa, Indonesia, and Germany. Ember recommends mandatory direct measurement for all mines, the use of satellite verification, and international financial support for low-income countries to implement these standards.

• Global coal mine methane (CMM) emissions are likely significantly higher than official government data. While countries reported 30.5 million tonnes of methane annually to the UNFCCC, independent studies suggest actual emissions range between 38 and 67 million tonnes per year.
• The climate impact of CMM is substantial; at the highest independent estimates, the 20-year warming impact is equivalent to the total annual CO2 emissions of the United States. At the lowest estimates, it is comparable to the total CO2 emissions of India.
• Government reporting methods are largely inadequate, with 97% of reported CMM emissions based on standard emission factors (Tier 1 and 2 methods) rather than direct measurements of the methane actually emitted by mines.
• Significant underreporting occurs in numerous countries, with 22 countries potentially emitting more than double their official reports. South Africa is estimated to emit 7 to 14 times more than reported, Indonesia 5 to 30 times more, and Germany 9 to 53 times more.
• In Australia, while underground mines are measured, open cut mines—which make up nearly 75% of the industry—rely on outdated emission factors. Satellite data has identified 'mega-emitting' mines, such as Glencore's Hail Creek in Queensland, with methane intensities 30 times higher than state-based factors.
• To align with a 1.5C pathway, the IEA indicates that fossil fuel methane must be reduced by 75% by 2030. Ember suggests that 53% of global CMM emissions could be avoided using existing technologies, with 13% of that reduction possible at no net cost.

APA

Assan, S., & Whittle, E. (2023). In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2023/11/In-The-Dark_-underreporting-of-coal-mine-methane-is-a-major-climate-risk.pdf

Chicago

Assan, Sabina, and Eleanor Whittle. In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk. Ember, 2023. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2023/11/In-The-Dark_-underreporting-of-coal-mine-methane-is-a-major-climate-risk.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Assan |first1=Sabina |last2=Whittle |first2=Eleanor |title=In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk |publisher=Ember |date=28 November 2023 |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2023/11/In-The-Dark_-underreporting-of-coal-mine-methane-is-a-major-climate-risk.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{assan2023dark, author = {Assan, Sabina and Whittle, Eleanor}, title = {{In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2023/11/In-The-Dark_-underreporting-of-coal-mine-methane-is-a-major-climate-risk.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }