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China’s coal mine methane regulations have not curbed growing emissions

Author

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  • Scot M. Miller

    (Carnegie Institution for Science
    Johns Hopkins University)

  • Anna M. Michalak

    (Carnegie Institution for Science)

  • Robert G. Detmers

    (Netherlands Institute for Space Research)

  • Otto P. Hasekamp

    (Netherlands Institute for Space Research)

  • Lori M. P. Bruhwiler

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Stefan Schwietzke

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    University of Colorado Boulder
    Environmental Defense Fund)

Abstract

Anthropogenic methane emissions from China are likely greater than in any other country in the world. The largest fraction of China’s anthropogenic emissions is attributable to coal mining, but these emissions may be changing; China enacted a suite of regulations for coal mine methane (CMM) drainage and utilization that came into full effect in 2010. Here, we use methane observations from the GOSAT satellite to evaluate recent trends in total anthropogenic and natural emissions from Asia with a particular focus on China. We find that emissions from China rose by 1.1 ± 0.4 Tg CH4 yr−1 from 2010 to 2015, culminating in total anthropogenic and natural emissions of 61.5 ± 2.7 Tg CH4 in 2015. The observed trend is consistent with pre-2010 trends and is largely attributable to coal mining. These results indicate that China’s CMM regulations have had no discernible impact on the continued increase in Chinese methane emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Scot M. Miller & Anna M. Michalak & Robert G. Detmers & Otto P. Hasekamp & Lori M. P. Bruhwiler & Stefan Schwietzke, 2019. "China’s coal mine methane regulations have not curbed growing emissions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07891-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07891-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Li & Cao, Yunqi & Jia, Zhixuan & Liu, Fang & Song, Zhengchang, 2023. "Properties and mechanisms of low concentration methane catalytic combustion in porous media supported with transition metal oxides," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    2. Fekete, Hanna & Kuramochi, Takeshi & Roelfsema, Mark & Elzen, Michel den & Forsell, Nicklas & Höhne, Niklas & Luna, Lisa & Hans, Frederic & Sterl, Sebastian & Olivier, Jos & van Soest, Heleen & Frank,, 2021. "A review of successful climate change mitigation policies in major emitting economies and the potential of global replication," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    3. Zhang, Huaiwen & Yao, Yiqing & Deng, Jun & Zhang, Jian-Li & Qiu, Yaojing & Li, Guofu & Liu, Jian, 2022. "Hydrogen production via anaerobic digestion of coal modified by white-rot fungi and its application benefits analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Liang Feng & Paul I. Palmer & Sihong Zhu & Robert J. Parker & Yi Liu, 2022. "Tropical methane emissions explain large fraction of recent changes in global atmospheric methane growth rate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Lekan Damilola Ojo & Onaopepo Adeniyi & Olajide Emmanuel Ogundimu & Olasunkanmi Ososanmi Alaba, 2022. "Rethinking Green Supply Chain Management Practices Impact on Company Performance: A Close-Up Insight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Liu, Jianye & Li, Zuxin & Luo, Dongkun & Duan, Xuqiang & Liu, Ruolei, 2020. "Shale gas production in China: A regional analysis of subsidies and suggestions for policy," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    7. Yachen Xie & Jiaguo Qi & Rui Zhang & Xiaomiao Jiao & Gabriela Shirkey & Shihua Ren, 2022. "Toward a Carbon-Neutral State: A Carbon–Energy–Water Nexus Perspective of China’s Coal Power Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    8. Lijie Feng & Yilang Li & Zhenfeng Liu & Jinfeng Wang, 2020. "Idea Generation and New Direction for Exploitation Technologies of Coal-Seam Gas through Recombinative Innovation and Patent Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-21, April.

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