IEA - Australian Methane Emissions From Coal & Gas Operations Up To 60% Higher Than Thought
Methane emissions from Australian coalmines and gas production could be more than 60% higher than federal government estimates suggest, according to satellite and ground data released by the International Energy Agency. The results of the Paris-based energy organisation’s annual methane tracker, released this week, led to renewed calls for the Albanese government to require emissions cuts at existing local and gas mines using existing technology and to block new developments.
Methane is a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas released from coal seams, oil and gas wells and production, leaking pipelines and agricultural livestock. Scientists say it is responsible for about 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution, and warned rapid cuts are needed to limit short-term warming. The IEA has repeatedly found methane pollution was greater than suggested by official data, often compiled by fossil fuel companies and submitted by the government to the UN.
The latest tracker found 2.23m tonnes of methane was released from energy production in Australia last year, 63% more than the federal climate change department estimate of 1.37m tonnes. Other satellite-based studies have reported discrepancies at some Queensland coalmines.
The Greens’ leader, Adam Bandt, said it underlined the need for the government to use a proposed revamp of the safeguard mechanism, a climate policy applied to major industrial sites, to “rein in rising methane by stopping new coal and gas mines”.
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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/23/methane-from-australian-coal-and-gas-could-be-60-higher-than-estimated
