National Emission Estimates

Ember's analysis reveals that 97% of reported coal mine methane (CMM) emissions are based on emission factors rather than direct measurements, leading to widespread underreporting. The report finds that 22 countries may have more than double the emissions they officially report, with extreme discrepancies noted in South Africa, Indonesia, and Germany. Only 44 countries published CMM data for 2021, and many major producers, including China and India, have not reported recently.

• Global reporting of coal mine methane (CMM) is characterized by low confidence and a lack of direct measurement; 97% of reported emissions rely on emission factors (Tier 1 and 2 methods) rather than direct measurements. Only 4% of reported emissions are categorized as high confidence, while 83% are medium-low confidence.
• There are severe discrepancies between official government reports and independent estimates, with 94% of reported CMM emissions estimated to be significantly different. Specifically, 22 countries may have more than double their reported emissions, and another 22 countries may be underestimating emissions by 50% to 100%.
• Major coal-producing nations frequently fail to report CMM emissions annually to the UNFCCC. In 2021, only 44 countries published data. Notable gaps include China (last reported 2014), India (2016), and South Africa (2017), while Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Pakistan have never reported.
• Specific countries show extreme underreporting: South Africa is estimated to emit 7 to 14 times more than reported; Indonesia may emit 5 to 30 times more; and Germany is estimated to emit 9 to 53 times more from active mining operations.
• In Australia, while underground mines are measured directly, open cut mines (approx. 75% of the industry) rely on outdated emission factors. Satellite and remote data indicate significant underestimation, such as at Glencore’s Hail Creek mine in Queensland, where methane intensity was found to be 30 times higher than the State-based emission factor.

APA

Ember (2023). National Emission Estimates. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/national-emission-estimates-cmm/

Chicago

Ember. National Emission Estimates. 2023. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/national-emission-estimates-cmm/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=National Emission Estimates |date=28 November 2023 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/national-emission-estimates-cmm/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2023national, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{National Emission Estimates}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/national-emission-estimates-cmm/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }