Safeguard Mechanism Consultation - Response for Coal Mine Methane

Ember argues that Australia's Safeguard Mechanism must address the significant underestimation of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, which it claims are 30-40% higher than reported. The response advocates for a faster baseline decline rate for the coal sector, the adoption of a 20-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) for methane, and a strict industry benchmark of 1-3kg of methane per tonne of coal. Ember specifically calls for a ban on new coal mines and expansions, noting that if 75% of proposed mines proceed, fugitive methane emissions could increase 1.5 times by 2030. The document also suggests that thermal coal mines should be phased out more aggressively than metallurgical coal mines due to the latter's role in steel production.

• Reported coal mine methane emissions in Australia are underestimated by 30-40%, meaning the current emissions basis and budget for the Safeguard Mechanism are incorrect.
• If 75% of proposed Australian mines are developed, fugitive methane emissions would increase 1.5 times by 2030, adding approximately 45 Mt of CO2e (100-yr GWP) annually, which represents a 12% increase in Australia's total 2020 CO2 emissions.
• Ember proposes an industry benchmark for methane emissions intensity of 1-3kg per tonne of coal, suggesting that 'super-emitting' mines unable to meet this via mitigation should be closed.
• Current methane measurement in Australia is inadequate; for example, the Oaky North Underground Mine was found to emit nearly double its reported levels in 2018 and 2019, and Glencore’s Hail Creek Open Cut mine emitted 10 times its reported levels from 2018-2021.
• The document recommends using the 20-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) for methane, which is 82.5x more than CO2, rather than the traditional 100-year value, to reflect the urgency of the climate emergency.
• Ember argues that a vital part of Australia's emissions strategy must be a mandate against any new coal mines or expansions.

APA

Ember (n.d.). Safeguard Mechanism Consultation - Response for Coal Mine Methane. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2024/10/Safeguard-Consultation-Response.pdf

Chicago

Ember. Safeguard Mechanism Consultation - Response for Coal Mine Methane. n.d. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2024/10/Safeguard-Consultation-Response.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Safeguard Mechanism Consultation - Response for Coal Mine Methane |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2024/10/Safeguard-Consultation-Response.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{emberndsafeguard, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Safeguard Mechanism Consultation - Response for Coal Mine Methane}}, institution = {Ember}, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2024/10/Safeguard-Consultation-Response.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }