In a significant move to curb methane emissions, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Thursday that the country will enforce stricter regulations on methane release from coal mines. The new rules aim to reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during coal extraction, contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

Methane is far more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, making it a key target for climate action. Although it only stays in the atmosphere for about a decade, its short-term impact on global warming is far more severe than CO2. As a result, cutting methane emissions is seen as an essential step in slowing global temperature rise in the near term. According to the ministry, curbing methane emissions from coal mines will not only have significant climate benefits but will also enhance safety by reducing the risk of mining accidents and provide economic opportunities by capturing and utilizing methane as an energy source.

Under the new rules, coal mines emitting methane at concentrations of 8% or higher—equating to more than 10 cubic meters of pure methane per minute—will be required to capture and either utilize or destroy the methane. This new threshold significantly lowers the previous limit of 30% methane content, which was set back in 2008 with the primary goal of preventing explosions and encouraging the use of coalbed methane as an energy resource. The new rules aim to address the growing climate concern, as coal mining contributes around 40% of China’s methane emissions, alongside agricultural activities.

The new regulations are part of China's broader strategy to address methane emissions. While over 150 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, China, the world’s largest emitter, has not yet set an official target. However, last year, China committed to capturing more methane from coal mines and tightening controls on livestock and landfills. The ministry emphasized that actively controlling methane emissions will slow global warming, enhance economic efficiency, and improve worker safety in the mining sector.

The policy sets a timeline for implementation. All new coal mines must adhere to the new methane capture standards by April 2025. Existing mines will have until April 2027 to comply, giving them more time to adapt to the stricter regulations.

Satellite data from Global Energy Monitor (GEM) revealed that large-scale methane plumes were detected from 23 coal mines worldwide, including those in China, Australia, Colombia, and Mexico, between January and April 2024. This data underscores the urgency of implementing stricter emission control measures to prevent further environmental damage.

China’s decision to tighten methane regulations is a critical step in the global fight against climate change. By curbing emissions from coal mining, the country could contribute significantly to reducing the environmental impact of the coal industry, which remains a central part of its energy mix.