Driving Down Coal Mine Methane Emissions

Driving Down Coal Mine Methane Emissions: A Regulatory Roadmap and Toolkit

Abstract Tackling methane in the coal sector offers significant opportunities for climate action while enhancing energy security. Countries can implement several measures today using existing technologies and tools to reduce methane emissions from coal mining. This report highlights lessons learned from different coal-producing regions to support the development of effective methane regulations. It provides detailed guidance on designing, drafting, and implementing new regulations, as well as discusses current regulatory approaches to provide a comprehensive toolkit for policymakers.

Acknowledgements This report was prepared by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Key contributors include Tomás de Oliveira Bredariol (lead author), K.C. Michaels, Joyce Raboca, Natalie St. Clair, Luca Lo Re, and Zhiyu Yang. Strategic guidance was provided by Tim Gould, Pascal Laffont, and Christophe McGlade. The report benefited from valuable comments and feedback from external experts, including representatives from various government agencies and organizations.

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. Action is Needed on Methane
4. Why Focus on Coal Mine Methane?
5. The Case for Methane Regulation
6. What Can Governments Do to Drive Methane Reductions in the Coal Mining Sector?
7. A Regulatory Roadmap and Toolkit
8. How to Use This Guide
9. Regulatory Roadmap
10. Step 1: Understand the Legal and Political Context
11. Step 2: Characterize the Nature of Your Industry
12. Step 3: Develop an Emissions Profile
13. Step 4: Build Regulatory Capacity
14. Step 5: Engage Stakeholders
15. Step 6: Define Regulatory Objectives
16. Step 7: Select the Appropriate Policy Design
17. Step 8: Draft the Policy
18. Step 9: Enable and Enforce Compliance
19. Step 10: Periodically Review and Refine Your Policy
20. Regulatory Toolkit
21. Regulatory Structure
22. Approaches to Regulation
23. Essential Elements
24. Additional Resources
25. Abbreviations and Acronyms
26. Annex: Policies Related to CMM
27. List of Figures
28. List of Boxes
29. List of Tables

Key Figures and Charts

• Figure 1: Coal mine methane emissions in the NZE, 2000-2030.
• Figure 2: Top coal importers and exporters by scenario, 2021, 2030, and 2050.
• Figure 3: Ten steps in implementing new regulations.
• Figure 4: CMM abatement through the coal mining life cycle.
• Figure 5: Indirect CO2 and methane emissions from global coal supply, 2021.
• Figure 6: The spectrum of regulatory approaches.
• Table: Regulatory approaches applied to VAM.
• Table: Ownership of natural resources.
• Table: Air pollution regulation.
• Table: Safety regulations.
• Table: Greenhouse gas emissions-reducing mechanisms.

Boxes

• Box 1: Permits
• Box 2: Methane regulation
• Box 3: Best available technologies requirements
• Box 4: Strategic targets
• Box 5: Carbon credits from CMM projects and emission trading schemes
• Box 6: Reporting requirements
• Box 7: Remote sensing
• Box 8: Third-party verification
• Box 9: Voluntary carbon markets and international carbon markets
• Box 10: Goal review

This comprehensive guide aims to provide policymakers with the necessary tools and steps to effectively regulate and reduce methane emissions from coal mining, ensuring both environmental and economic benefits.