Opportunities to Globally Address Coal Mine Methane Emissions
On this page:
- Global Coal Mine Methane Emissions and Abatement Potential
- The Global Methane Initiative: A Global Partnership Supporting Coal Mine Methane Recovery and Utilization
- Other International Partners
- International Resources
Global Coal Mine Methane Emissions and Abatement Potential
According to EPA projections, coal mining will account for approximately 10% of global methane emissions in 2030. The vast majority of these emissions come from key coal-producing countries, including China, Russia, the United States, India, and Australia. EPA estimates that approximately 64% of projected 2030 emissions can be avoided using a suite of available technologies; this abatement potential is projected to remain stable through 2050. The international coal market thus offers considerable business opportunities for U.S. vendors, project developers, and other partners.1
The Global Methane Initiative: A Global Partnership Supporting Coal Mine Methane Recovery and Utilization
The U.S. government plays a leading role in the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), launched in 2004. GMI is an international public-private partnership of 49 countries and hundreds of private sector and multilateral partners focused on reducing methane emissions across three key sectors: biogas (including agriculture, municipal solid waste, and municipal wastewater), coal mining, and oil and gas systems. With funding from the U.S. Department of State, EPA provides technical expertise across all sectors, building on the Agency's successful domestic partnership programs, including CMOP. EPA supports the GMI Secretariat.
GMI plays a critical role in the global coal mine methane domain by providing:
- A forum for countries and other organizations to showcase their methane mitigation achievements.
- A forum for networking and sharing lessons and information.
- Technical expertise, high-quality information, and tools to support methane mitigation.
Vendors, project developers, and other partners can engage with GMI by joining the Project Network.
EPA has provided key leadership and guidance for the recovery and use of methane through GMI. GMI projects have reduced methane emissions by more than 670 MMTCO2e through 2023. Visit the EPA and GMI Accomplishments webpage and the GMI webpage for more information.
Other International Partners
EPA works in close cooperation with other organizations that focus on coal mine methane issues, including:
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, Switzerland, promotes sustainable development within the energy sector and facilitates international economic cooperation. UNECE member countries account for 38% of global coal production and 40% of global CMM emissions. Promoting capture and use of CMM is carried out under the auspices of Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition, launched in December 2004. EPA collaborates with UNECE on developing and releasing sector-relevant products, such as best practice guidance.
- International Energy Agency (IEA), based in Paris, France, works with governments and industry on issues related to renewables, fossil fuels support and demand, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, electricity systems and markets, access to energy, and others. IEA has published a number of resources on methane emissions and reduction opportunities at coal mines.
International Resources
In support of GMI, EPA has developed a range of resources and tools to promote coal mine methane recovery and utilization globally, organized below according to key steps in assessing and developing coal mine methane mitigation projects.
Attend Events
- GMI’s event calendar promotes relevant in-person and virtual events held around the world.
Gather Background Information and Learn the Basics
- GMI’s Case Study library provides access to best practices that demonstrate achievements and lessons learned
- Basics of Coal Mine Methane Training
Also available in Spanish and Indonesian - Conducting Pre-Feasibility Studies for Coal Mine Methane Projects Training
Also available in Chinese and Russian - Conducting Pre-Feasibility Studies for Abandoned Mine Methane Projects Training
- GMI Coal Mine Methane Country Profiles (2015-2020)
- Global Methane Emissions from Coal Mining to Continue Growing Even with Declining Coal Production (2020)
Identify Project Opportunities
Develop and Operate a Project
- Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Recovery and Use from Abandoned Coal Mines
- CMOP International Cash Flow Model
- Coal Mine Methane Mitigation and Utilization Technologies and Project Profiles (2018)
Program and Policy Resources
- GMI’s Policymaker Framework for Addressing Methane Emissions
- Legal and Regulatory Status of Abandoned Mine Methane in Selected Countries: Considerations for Decision Makers
- Status of CMM Ownership and Policy Incentives in Key Countries: Considerations for Decision Makers
- Best Practice Guidance for Effective Management of Coal Mine Methane at National Level: Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Mitigation (2021)
Also available in Chinese.
Country-Specific Resources
1. Global Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emission Projections & Mitigation. Available: https://www.epa.gov/global-mitigation-non-co2-greenhouse-gases/global-non-co2-greenhouse-gas-emission-projections