Methane Reduction in Coal Mines in China
Observations and Prospects
English
NOV 2022
Policy Brief
Beyond Carbon Energy Transition
Summary:
This policy brief focuses on methane emissions from China's coal mining sector, the largest single source of methane in the country. It explains that ultra low concentration ventilation air methane accounts for the majority of these emissions and is difficult to capture or utilize due to cost and technical constraints. The brief also highlights growing emissions from abandoned mines, which remain unmonitored and unregulated. It identifies gaps in emission standards, monitoring systems, and economic incentives, and recommends strengthening U.S.–China cooperation on methane, compiling abandoned mine inventories, revising emission standards, improving monitoring and verification, advancing cost effective utilization technologies, and establishing dedicated financing and voluntary industry initiatives.
Suggested citation:
Chen, M., Hong, J., Hu, M., & Mo, K. (2022). Methane Reduction in Coal Mines in China. Policy Brief. Beijing: Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP).
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