Coal Mine Greenhouse Gas Emission Measurement Accuracy

Coal is coming under increasing pressure from competing fuels, mainly on environmental grounds. Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production of coal, while a minor component in a global sense, are unique in that they are the sole responsibility of coal producers. It is vital for coal producers to be able to predict and measure GHG emissions with sufficient accuracy to:

• Understand the size and scope of emissions
• Know when and where improvements have been made
• Engage in meaningful dialogue with other stakeholders, eg environment groups, government regulators

This scoping study was commissioned to examine accuracy issues related to coal mine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement and reporting. The report provides:

• An overview of the relative contribution of coal mine GHG emissions in the Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI);
• A map of GHG emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) through the coal production chain, and a corresponding map of the uncertainty in measuring these emissions;
• A sensitivity analysis on the effect of uncertainty on overall inventory;
• A comparison of reporting methodologies adopted by Australia and other coal-producing Annex-B countries