India’s coal mines emitted 2.8 million tonnes methane in 2023: International Energy Agency report

India's coal mines are emerging as significant contributors to methane emissions (Photo credit: Choti Hussain via Wikimedia Commons)

India's coal mines are emerging as significant contributors to methane emissions, as per the latest findings from the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the IEA’s Methane Tracker report, India ranked third globally in methane emissions from coal mines in 2023, emitting a staggering 2.8 million tonnes of methane. This figure is more than triple the officially reported emissions to the UNFCCC in 2019 (0.8 million tonnes), indicating a critical need for improved measurement methods.

The implications of these methane emissions are profound, with a short-term climate impact equivalent to 237.6 million tonnes of CO2. To put this into perspective, it surpasses the combined annual CO2 emissions from all vehicles on India’s roads in 2019.

At the same time, the IEA emphasises that significant reductions in these methane emissions are achievable without major technological breakthroughs. Implementing cost-effective measures could slash coal mine methane emissions in India by 0.9 million tonnes, equivalent to avoiding 80 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Despite these alarming statistics, India's coal mines have been noticeably absent from recent global commitments to emission reduction. The country is among the top 10 coal mine methane emitters globally that have yet to sign the Global Methane Pledge. This omission is concerning, considering the potential for substantial emissions reductions in the coal sector.

In 2023, methane emissions from the energy sector, particularly from fossil fuels and bioenergy, were near record levels. According to the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker update, fossil fuel-related methane emissions reached nearly 120 million tonnes in 2023, with an additional 10 million tonnes from bioenergy sources.

Satellite observations have played a crucial role in identifying methane leaks, including significant emissions from fossil fuel-related activities. The report highlights a substantial increase in major fossil fuel leaks in 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling over 5 million tonnes of emissions, with notable incidents like a prolonged well blowout in Kazakhstan.