#  Ending high-emission coal is key to China’s methane reduction 

 





December 06, 2024

 

 

**By focusing on shuttering mines with high gas content, China could reduce future coal methane emissions by 26%, writes Liu Qiang, former Fellow at the Harvard-China project and current Ph.D. candidate at Tsinghua University**

Reducing methane emissions was one of the [major issues](https://fsr.eui.eu/methane-emissions-a-crucial-focus-at-cop29/) at the COP29 climate conference in Baku.

During the first week of the event, China, the US and the host country Azerbaijan jointly [held](https://www.globalmethanepledge.org/events/cop29-summit-methane-and-non-co2-greenhouse-gases) the Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases. China used the summit to announce a new plan: to reduce the concentration limit for coal mine gas emissions (principally methane) from 30% to 8%. The state will also improve market mechanisms, by allowing companies and enterprises to participate in methane emission controls, and actively promoting international exchanges and cooperation.

Last year, the [US and China agreed to reduce methane emissions](https://dialogue.earth/en/climate/wind-in-the-sails-us-china-climate-agreement-can-boost-global-action/) as part of an historic climate agreement. Donald Trump’s imminent return now leaves the direction of Sino-US relations uncertain. But no matter what the future holds, China has a chance to further reduce its coal methane emissions by adjusting its coal mine-closure strategy. This view is espoused by a study [published](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02004-3) in April by Tsinghua University’s Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, which I co-authored.

By analysing China’s policy to eliminate [outdated](https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2014-06/03/content_2692942.htm) coal capacity, established in 2013, we discovered the potential emissions-reduction effect of mine closures. We found China could reduce methane emissions by 26% based on 2020 levels by 2050 if it prioritises the closure of coal mines with high gas contents.

**Read the rest of the article on the Dialogue Earth site:** [**https://bit.ly/methane-reduction**](https://bit.ly/methane-reduction)



 

 

 



 

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