According to a recent analysis by Ember, German coal mines emit significantly more methane than officially reported to the United Nations.
Using advanced methodology developed by scientists, the energy think tank estimated emissions based on coal’s gas content and mining depths.
This revelation raises questions about Germany’s reliance on fossil fuels, particularly as it pivoted towards them after Japan’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
“A wide-ranging measurement campaign would be the start to understanding the true scale of its methane emissions,” said Sabina Assan, the author of the report and a coal-mine methane analyst at Ember.
“Developing a vigorous surface coal-mine methane measurement standard would put the country on track to be a true climate leader,” Assan adds.
Also read: US landfill methane output underestimated by 40%: study
Ember also utilized satellite observations in its analysis and found high methane emissions over multiple mines, particularly at RWE AG’s Hambach and the Welzow-Süd reserves of Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG).
Germany’s economy ministry will review the Ember study’s methods and findings.
Similar studies have used satellite data and improved methodologies to estimate methane emissions from coal mining in other countries.
Findings suggest that Indonesia, the third-largest coal miner after China and India, underestimates emissions by six to seven times, while Australia underreports coal-related methane emissions by 80%.
