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This report by Ember examines the effectiveness of satellite monitoring in detecting methane emissions from global hard coal mines, noting a significant gap between theoretical detectability and actual observations.

An Ember report finds that global coal mine methane (CMM) emissions remained broadly steady between 2021 and 2023, despite an 8% increase in global coal production. The report highlights significant discrepancies between official UNFCCC-reported data and independent estimates, noting that six of the nine largest emitters failed to submit official 2023 CMM data.

The Global Coal Mine Methane Review 2026 reports that coal mine methane (CMM) emissions have remained steady at approximately 35 million tonnes despite rising coal production since the 2021 Global Methane Pledge. The report highlights a critical lack of transparency, estimating that 89% of emissions were unreported to the UNFCCC in 2023, and that 87% of global coal production relies on generic emission factors rather than direct measurements. While satellite monitoring is increasing, it currently captures emissions from only 10% of global hard coal production. The report concludes that existing technologies could reduce CMM emissions by 54-63% by 2030, with some measures available at no net cost, and that such reductions are affordable relative to industry profits.

This guide details the methodologies used by Ember for its Coal Mine Methane Data Tracker, covering the compilation of historical emissions records, the creation of future emission forecasts, the classification of mine types, and the assessment of reporting confidence and satellite monitoring potential.

A report by Ember using satellite data reveals that Polish coal mines were the most frequent fossil fuel methane super-emitters in the EU in 2025. Despite the EU Methane Regulation's ban on routine venting from drainage systems starting in January 2025, satellite evidence indicates continued venting at several Polish sites, highlighting a gap in enforcement and the absence of a national penalty framework in Poland.

This report by Ember examines the surge in coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Indonesia, arguing that official government figures significantly understate the actual emissions due to flawed reporting systems and the exclusion of underground mines.

This case study by Ember examines the underreporting of methane emissions at the Hail Creek coal mine in Australia and the resulting supply chain risks for major steel companies, specifically ArcelorMittal, POSCO, and Nippon Steel.

Ember's submission to the Clean Energy Regulator argues for the reform of 'Method 2', the compulsory site-specific approach for reporting methane emissions from large open-cut coal mines in Australia. Ember asserts that current implementation is undermined by poor measurement, lack of verification, and transparency gaps, which could distort climate policy. The report suggests that adopting modern stationary and atmospheric measurement technologies, alongside data and verification reforms, could make Australia a global leader in emissions accuracy.

This submission by Ember to the Clean Energy Regulator argues that 'Method 2' for reporting fugitive methane emissions from Australian coal mines is scientifically inadequate and leads to significant under-reporting. The document highlights a growing gap between increasing coal production and stagnant or declining reported emissions, particularly in New South Wales. Ember recommends urgent reforms, including mandated regular updates to emission factors, increased borehole density, independent third-party verification, and the integration of satellite-based atmospheric monitoring to ensure the integrity of Australia's national emissions inventory.

A report by Ember and Kayrros using TROPOMI satellite observations to estimate fugitive methane emissions from coal mining clusters in Australia, finding that satellite-derived emissions are significantly higher than official national and state-level reports.

This report by Ember analyzes coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It compares officially reported fugitive emissions with satellite-based estimates and airborne measurements, finding that actual emissions in both states are significantly higher than reported, with particularly large discrepancies noted for surface mines in Queensland and overall totals in New South Wales.

This report examines the discrepancy between satellite-observed methane emissions and company-led estimates from open-cut coal mines in Australia, specifically focusing on the impact of shifting from state-based (Method 1) to site-specific (Method 2) emissions accounting in New South Wales.

A report by Ember using TROPOMI satellite data and wind-rotation methods reveals that fugitive methane emissions from Australian coal mines are significantly higher than officially reported. The analysis, covering six mining clusters, found that emissions in 2020 were at least 40% higher than national reports, with particularly severe underreporting in New South Wales.

A report by Ember examines a shift in how fugitive methane emissions from open-cut coal mines in Australia are reported, moving from state-based averages (Method 1) to site-specific estimates (Method 2). The report finds that this accounting shift has led to a significant decrease in reported emissions, particularly in New South Wales, creating a mismatch between regulator-compiled averages and operator-reported estimates.

This report by Ember examines the transition in Australia's coal industry from underground to open-cut mining between 1990 and 2022, highlighting a growing reliance on estimated rather than measured fugitive emissions data.

This report by Ember examines the discrepancy between Australia's increasing coal production and its decreasing reported fugitive emissions, attributing the trend to the closure of gassy underground mines and changes in estimation methods for open-cut mining.

The report examines the role of underground coal mine closures in reducing fugitive methane emissions in Australia. While the closure of 'super-emitting' mines has historically driven significant emissions decreases, new project expansions and license extensions threaten to reverse these gains and undermine national and state climate targets.

This report by Ember examines the 'paradox' of Australia's coal industry, where coal production increased by 170% between 1990 and 2022 while reported fugitive emissions remained nearly flat. The report attributes this trend to the closure of high-emitting underground mines and a shift toward open-cut mining, which relies on estimated rather than measured emissions. It warns that a transition to site-specific reporting methods has significantly lowered reported emissions, particularly in New South Wales, and that proposed mine expansions could reverse recent emissions declines.

This document contains the heads of argument filed by Lephalale Coal Mine (Pty) Ltd (LCM) in the High Court of South Africa. LCM responds to a review application by Earthlife Africa seeking to set aside environmental authorisations for a proposed coal mine in Limpopo Province. LCM concedes that its original climate change impact assessment was insufficient and agrees that the related decision should be reviewed and set aside, but opposes all other grounds of review regarding air quality, health impacts, cumulative impacts, and public consultation.

A Global Energy Monitor (GEM) report identifies 23 methane 'super-emitter' events at eight coal mines across Australia, China, Colombia, and Mexico between January 1, 2023, and April 1, 2024. Using NASA EMIT sensor data, the analysis links satellite-detected plumes to specific mine operators, highlighting a lack of global incentives for methane mitigation.