Major coal companies in Indonesia, a leading emitter of CO2, are neglecting the significant environmental impact of methane emissions, thus obscuring the true extent of their operations’ effects on the climate, according to a report released on Monday.
Methane, which accounts for approximately one-third of the warming caused by greenhouse gases, is crucial for countries aiming to rapidly reduce emissions and combat climate change.
The London-based energy think tank Ember reviewed the emission profiles of 10 major coal-mining companies in Indonesia, which together produce half of the country’s coal. The analysis found that only four of these companies reported coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, suggesting that the full environmental impact of coal mining in Indonesia is not being accurately assessed.
The report read, “The coal mine methane emissions of the other six companies could be similar, or bigger than the currently reported mining emissions from fossil fuel combustion and purchased electricity. For companies with high strip ratios, which is the amount of waste material removed per unit of coal extracted, emissions from fossil fuel generation are much bigger than CMM emissions due to higher energy intensity.”
Ember estimated that the CMM emissions from these companies could surpass 8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, potentially exceeding one-third of their total possible emissions.
CMM, which is released unintentionally during coal extraction or topsoil removal, has a warming effect that is 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over 100 years, and about 80 times greater over 20 years.
“Big coal mining companies in Indonesia have started to reduce emissions through various decarbonisation measures, with some pledging to achieve net zero emissions and develop green energy businesses. However, most of them have overlooked the significant impacts of methane emissions within their coal businesses, and none have planned to address it. Measuring and reporting methane emissions will be crucial in coal mining decarbonisation efforts and ensuring compliance with national and international standards,” said Dody Setiawan, Senior Analyst, Climate and Energy – Indonesia, Ember.
Indonesia, a signatory of the voluntary Global Methane Pledge, has pledged to undertake comprehensive domestic measures to reduce methane emissions by 2030.