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This report by Ember argues that reducing coal mine methane (CMM) emissions is an urgent and economically feasible way to slow near-term global warming and improve public health. It highlights that a significant portion of CMM can be mitigated using proven technologies like ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidation and drainage systems, with some measures offering negative net costs.

The report argues that betting on long-term growth for metallurgical coal (met coal) is a losing strategy as demand plateaus due to China's economic shift and the rise of low-carbon steel production. It highlights the risk of stranded assets given the volume of planned mine expansions and recommends that governments accelerate the transition to green steel through subsidy reform and public procurement.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics challenges the claim that renewable energy increases electricity prices, arguing that real-world data from the US, EU, Australia, and India often show a correlation between high renewable uptake and below-average power prices.

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.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analyzes the potential for repurposing abandoned and soon-to-be-closed surface coal mines into solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. It argues that these sites are ideal for solar development due to their existing proximity to grid infrastructure and the need for land reclamation, offering a pathway to align clean energy goals with local job creation and environmental restoration.

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 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.

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.

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 report by Ember examines the risks associated with a proposed shift in Australia's emissions reporting for open-cut coal mines, moving from state-based average emission factors (Method 1) to unverified company-led estimates (Method 2). The analysis of ten mines suggests that this shift allows companies to significantly under-report fugitive methane emissions, potentially erasing millions of tonnes of CO2-e from the national inventory without actual mitigation.

Ember submits that coal mining emissions pose a critical risk to New South Wales' net zero targets. The report argues that current federal regulations like the Safeguard Mechanism are inadequate because they allow offsets over onsite mitigation and may underreport emissions from open cut mines. Using Tahmoor Colliery as a case study, Ember demonstrates that onsite VAM mitigation is technically feasible and commercially viable but requires state-led regulatory pressure. Key recommendations include pausing new coal mine approvals and commissioning a detailed risk report from the Net Zero Commission by June 2025.

This submission by Ember to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) argues for the extension and expansion of Australia's Coal Mine Waste Gas (CMWG) method beyond 2025. Ember recommends extending the methodology to include open-cut mines and improving measurement and verification frameworks to accelerate the decarbonisation of the coal sector.

This report by Ember analyzes the underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, finding that global emissions may be up to twice as high as government figures reported to the UNFCCC. It highlights systemic failures in monitoring, noting that 97% of reported emissions rely on general emission factors rather than direct measurement, and recommends mandatory direct monitoring, satellite verification, and international support for low-income countries to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the process of mine relinquishment—the legal transfer of responsibility for a closed mine site from the operator to a government or new landowner. It identifies a global gap in clear relinquishment policies and proposes a six-step framework to help governments manage residual risks and ensure sustainable post-mining land use.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a framework for governments to implement the 'restitution' of closed mine sites. Restitution is defined as the legal transfer of responsibility from the mine operator to a subsequent landowner after closure activities are completed and approved. The document identifies systemic gaps in global policies, where sites often remain indefinitely with operators or are transferred without adequate funding for long-term monitoring. It proposes a six-step policy process: requiring comprehensive closure plans, conducting independent inspections, establishing residual risk management plans, creating funding mechanisms, executing legal transfers, and implementing long-term monitoring.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines policy steps for governments to manage the relinquishment of closed mine sites—the legal transfer of responsibility from the operator to a new owner or the state. Analyzing over 40 jurisdictions, it finds a global lack of clear relinquishment frameworks. It highlights successful models in Saskatchewan, Queensland, and Chile, and recommends a six-step process involving comprehensive closure plans, independent verification, residual risk assessment, and dedicated long-term funding mechanisms to ensure environmental stability and sustainable land reuse.

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 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.