Queensland’s resources industry – primarily coal mining and coal seam gas extraction – is responsible for a staggering one third of the state's total greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the Queensland Conservation Council.
The report exposes how toxic fugitive methane emissions from coal mining are the biggest source of climate pollution within the resources sector. Without a proper plan to tackle these emissions, Queensland communities and our vital ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef and the Channel Country are paying the price.
Addressing fugitive methane emissions through strong climate targets, accurate measurement and on site mitigation is a huge opportunity for both the Federal and State governments to achieve climate action and ensure the state remains competitive in a rapidly decarbonising global economy.
Queensland Conservation Council energy expert Clare Silcock said:
“Coal and coal seam gas industries in Queensland are driving climate pollution, particularly through leaking fugitive methane emissions. Coal mines are the biggest offenders but there are also leaks from gas wells and pipelines.
“Methane is a super pollutant greenhouse gas. It traps up to 86 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
“Queensland has a 75% emissions reduction target by 2035, but without a plan to tackle methane, we won’t get there. The Federal Government must also set a science-based 2035 target this year to meet its international legal obligations and that means confronting fugitive methane head-on.
“Currently, most coal and gas companies don’t even measure, let alone attempt to reduce, methane emissions in Queensland. There’s increasing evidence that methane emissions from Queensland’s coal mines are much higher than reported. Methane leaking from our CSG infrastructure is much higher than international best practice.
“There are solutions that could be put in place by both the Federal and State Governments to hold the resources sector accountable for their colossal fugitive methane emissions. This has to be genuine methane emissions reduction, not false solutions such as building new fossil fuel infrastructure like the Bowen Basin Pipeline which would increase emissions overall.
“Reducing fugitive methane is one of the fastest, most effective ways to cut emissions. For Queensland, this means developing a strong resources sector decarbonisation plan. At the federal level, it means setting ambitious, science-based 2035 targets.
“As the largest single source of emissions from Queensland’s resources sector, governments have to take serious action to reduce fugitive methane emissions to meet our climate targets, protect Queensland communities and safeguard the places we love from the worst impacts of climate change.”
The full report is available here.
Media contact: Ellie McLachlan, 0407 753 830
Available for interview: Clare Silcock, Energy Strategist, Queensland Conservation Council: 0481 055 531
Additional information, from the report:
The Resources Sector Decarbonisation Plan must prioritise the following six actions:
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Stopping new fossil fuel projects
Approving new coal mines would blow Queensland’s climate targets out of the water. We have to stop building new mines, particularly in methane-heavy seams that will undermine emissions reduction efforts and negate progress made elsewhere.
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Rejecting Fossil Fuel Infrastructure as a Climate Solution
Proposals claiming to reduce emissions by capturing fugitive methane — such as the Bowen Basin Pipeline — should not be entertained as they will result in increased emissions overall.
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Improving Methane Measurement and Monitoring
Accurate data is crucial to being able to reduce emissions. A national emissions monitoring roadmap is needed to drive uptake of satellite and on-the-ground methane tracking systems, ensure transparency, accountability, and enable targeted solutions.
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Applying international best practice for methane reduction
Queensland’s CSG industry must adopt the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative’s (OGCI) methane loss target of 0.2% to align with global best practice. This can be achieved by tightening regulations, for example, revising the Mineral Resources Act 1989 and National Greenhouse Energy Register (NGER) rules.
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Implementing methane abatement technologies at existing coal mines
Proven technologies, such as ventilation air methane capture and pre-drainage systems, must be deployed across all coal mines to minimise fugitive emissions. Investment and incentives to scale these technologies is urgently needed.
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Ensuring reduction not dodgy offsets
The Safeguard Mechanism must ensure methane emissions are correctly accounted for, and only allowed to be offset by genuine methane reductions, not carbon dioxide reduction. Allowing carbon dioxide offsets will lock Queensland into much higher short term carbon emissions.
ENDS
