New Australia Coal Projects to Increase Methane Emissions by 19%

If 15 planned coal mining projects in Australia enter operation they would boost the country’s methane emissions from the dirtiest fossil fuel by nearly a fifth, according to an analysis from energy think tank Ember.

Australia’s coal mines already cause more planetary warming in a typical year than emissions from all the country’s cars. The new projects were previously approved but are facing fresh scrutiny under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor coalition, which has joined the Global Methane Pledge that aims to cut global emissions of the potent greenhouse gas 30% by 2030.

A depiction of methane emissions observed by satellite near the Bowen Basin from January 2019 to the present.

Source: Kayrros SAS

Cutting emissions from coal mines is the cheapest way for Australia to significantly ...