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Ember submitted two statements to the Australian government regarding the Safeguard Mechanism in August 2023. The submissions focus on establishing stringent international best practice benchmarks for new coal mines and evaluating the proposed production variable for run-of-mine coal to ensure it drives genuine methane emissions reductions without creating windfall credits for open-cut facilities.

This submission by Ember to the Climate Change Authority (CCA) recommends an ambitious approach to measuring and mitigating coal mine methane emissions in Australia. Ember argues that current reporting is significantly underestimated and that a combination of increased federal regulation, a national methane action plan, and a phased production phaseout of fossil fuels is necessary to meet 1.5C pathways and net zero by 2050.

This research briefing by Ember evaluates the estimated Scope 1 methane emissions of the Lake Vermont Meadowbrook Extension Project. Ember argues that the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) significantly underestimates methane emissions, potentially threatening the Safeguard Mechanism and the climate targets of the Australian and Queensland governments.

Ember's submission to the Australian government argues that the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) relies on inadequate state-based emissions factors for Queensland open cut coal mines. The document recommends phasing out 'Method 1' in favor of direct measurement and multi-input models to accurately capture methane variability and super-emitting events.

The Water Tribunal of South Africa dismissed an appeal by Thungela Operations (Pty) Ltd against the Department of Water and Sanitation's decision to refuse a Water Use Licence (WUL) for the Palmietkuilen Mining Operation. The Tribunal found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient geohydrological and geochemical data to ensure effective long-term mitigation of water pollution, particularly regarding post-closure acid mine drainage (AMD) and the permanent loss of wetlands.

An analysis by Ember argues that the approval of the Whitehaven coal mine in Cumbria jeopardises the United Kingdom's international climate commitments, specifically the Global Methane Pledge. The report claims that the developer, West Cumbria Mining Limited (WCML), significantly understated expected methane emissions and overstated the potential for mitigation, leading to a total methane impact that could be 15 times greater than estimated.

Ember analysis suggests that the approved Whitehaven coal mine in Cumbria will emit significantly more methane than estimated by the developer, West Cumbria Mining Limited (WCML), potentially jeopardising the UK's international climate commitments.

Ember analyzes loopholes in the EU methane regulation that could lead to an additional 2.2 million tonnes of methane emissions by 2050. The report highlights that coal mines are the largest energy sector methane source in the EU, dominated by Polish operations, and argues that tightening venting thresholds and prioritizing the closure of high-methane mines are cost-effective ways to meet climate goals.

Friends of the Earth International expresses solidarity with communities in Santander, Colombia, who are protesting an open-pit coal mine project by the French company Colcco S.A. and facing threats from armed groups.

This document outlines the methodology used by Ember for its Coal Mine Methane Emissions Tracker datatool, specifically detailing how confidence scores are assigned to national coal mine methane (CMM) emissions reported to the UNFCCC.

Ember provides feedback to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water regarding 15 coal mine proposals, arguing that their approval would significantly increase coal mine methane (CMM) emissions and hinder Australia's ability to meet international climate targets.

Ember provides feedback to the New South Wales (NSW) Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regarding its draft Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2022-2025. The submission argues for a specific focus on coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, proposing new actions to improve measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) and to implement mitigation strategies to align with international targets and the Global Methane Pledge.

A November 2022 briefing by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) identifies 30 fossil fuel companies responsible for 43% of the energy sector's global methane emissions. The analysis breaks down emissions by fuel sector (oil/gas and coal) and ownership type (national/state-owned vs. international/investor-owned), highlighting the disproportionate impact of a small number of large producers.

The report by Ember outlines a pathway for Australia to significantly reduce annual methane emissions from coal mines by 2030. It argues that coal mine methane (CMM) mitigation is a cost-effective and rapid way to meet climate targets, potentially reducing Australia's total annual methane emissions by 18% by 2030.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor argues that India's plans to expand coal mining capacity are unnecessary due to chronic underutilization of existing mines and the rise of renewables. The report highlights that new projects pose severe risks to tribal communities, forests, and water security while increasing the likelihood of stranded assets as India pursues a 2070 net-zero target.

This report by Ember analyzes the scale of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Australia, arguing that official figures are significantly underreported and that these emissions pose a major threat to Australia's 2030 climate targets. The document highlights the disparity between government estimates and satellite data, particularly in the Bowen Basin, and examines the impact of proposed new coal mines in Queensland and New South Wales. It recommends a transition to direct measurement, the implementation of methane abatement technologies like VAM oxidation, and the phasing out of coal, starting with the highest-emitting mines.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) provides a mine-level assessment of global coal mine methane emissions, finding that operating mines emit 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year. This volume rivals emissions from the oil and gas sectors and is significantly higher than many national inventories report. The analysis identifies China, specifically Shanxi province, as the primary source of these emissions and warns that proposed new mine projects could add another 11.3 million tonnes annually, potentially locking in emissions equivalent to the coal-based CO2 emissions of the United States.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the structural decline of the coal mining sector in Colombia, using the 2020 crisis and the surrender of mining titles by Prodeco as evidence of the challenges facing a just transition toward a decarbonized economy.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and Oxpeckers analyzes global coal mine proposals, finding that 2,277 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of new capacity is under development. This expansion is led by China, Australia, India, and Russia, and is largely inconsistent with the 1.5°C warming limit of the Paris climate agreement.

This case study examines Kentucky's coal severance tax, introduced in 1972, and its role in funding economic diversification and basic services in coal-producing counties. While the tax has provided significant resources through funds like the LGEAF and LGEDF, its effectiveness is challenged by a lack of a coordinated long-term strategy and a sharp decline in revenues as coal production and employment plummet.