Coal mining sector absent in methane talks at COP28

In a surprising turn of events, the coal mining sector was conspicuously absent from the discussions on methane emissions reduction at the COP28 climate summit. Despite being a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, the sector was not included in the talks aimed at addressing climate change.

Methane: urgent target for emissions

Methane, which has a warming effect 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year timescale, is a key target for countries looking to quickly slash emissions and slow climate change. The energy sector, including coal mining, is the second largest source of human-caused methane emissions, with leaks from infrastructure and deliberate releases during maintenance contributing to the problem.

The US, and China, world leaders convened to address the pressing issue of methane emissions, a potent contributor to climate change. But while the attention is on oil & gas methane, the coal mining sector is slipping under the radar despite emitting just as much methane. Moreover, there is a major risk that methane emissions from coal mines may in fact be double official estimates.

The US and China, as the largest methane emitters globally, play a crucial role in leading the charge against these emissions. While their efforts in oil, gas, and agriculture are commendable, they also account for over half of the world’s coal mine methane emissions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for a 75% reduction in energy-related methane emissions this decade, emphasizing the need for a clear bilateral roadmap to drastically cut coal mine methane emissions within the next five years.

Coal Mines: Key Methane source

According to IEA data, coal mines are China’s single largest source of methane emissions, contributing 38% of the country’s total across all sectors. Coal mines also represent a major source of methane emissions for South Africa (39%), Poland (38%), Australia (30%) and Indonesia (28%). For the US, its oil and gas sectors (46%) are responsible for more methane emissions than coal mines (6%).

Ember’s analysis suggests that if we could triple the world’s renewable energy capacity, it would lead to a significant reduction in coal power usage by 2030. This change alone could account for nearly half of the methane emission reductions needed from the coal mining sector over this decade.

Ember’s methane analyst, Dr Sabina Assan, said, “Methane emissions in the coal sector are probably the most ignored anthropogenic methane source - yet the opportunities to tackle these emissions have been available to the industry for decades and what's more, they are quick to implement. Tackling methane from the coal sector is a major opportunity for climate action, which major coal-producing countries should not let pass them by.”

The absence of coal mining in methane reduction talks at COP28 signals a critical gap in the global strategy to combat climate change. As negotiations continue, it is essential for all sectors, including coal mining, to be part of the solution.

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