According to a report from Melbourne’s nonprofit organization, The Superpower Institute, major polluters in Australia may be emitting more than double the methane as estimated in the national inventory data.
The report recommends that the government invest in new monitoring and verification technology.
This study, which utilized atmospheric modeling and satellite observations, is the first analysis to utilize the institute’s new Open Methane tool.
Also read: Germany’s coal mines emit more methane than reported, study says
This monitoring system utilizes remote sensing data to understand better Australia’s release of potent greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Later this year, the project will launch an interactive map with daily alerts for unexpected and significant methane increases.
Rod Sims, chairman of the institute, said, “We’re arguing for a verification system, which would require the government to invest in 12 ground stations and then use satellite technology” to cross-reference whether what’s being reported on the ground is accurate.
Satellite and aerial survey data indicate that methane emissions from fossil fuel sources are significantly underreported.
Energy think tank Ember studies have found that Indonesia and Germany are underreporting methane releases from coal mining activities, pointing to potential gaps in greenhouse gas accounting.
