Context
About 60% of global methane emissions are a result of human activities such as extraction and use of fossil fuels, agriculture, landfills, and wastewater treatment. Fossil fuel production, distribution and use are estimated to emit 110 million tons of methane annually, which accounts for approx. 30% of anthropogenic methane emissions
Unlike other GHGs, methane can be converted to usable energy. Capturing and using methane offers opportunities to generate energy and mitigate global climate change. In addition, reducing methane emissions offers also significant health benefits by improving local air quality. Technologies for capturing and using methane are readily available in every sector, including coal mining.
In that context, the UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition has been working with Member States and their coal industries to promote best practices in coal mine methane monitoring, capture, and use. In light of the progressing climate change, there is an urgent need that each country adopts effective methane mitigation measures and mobilize action to make progress towards reducing methane emissions.
Content
The 11th edition of Methane Mondays focused on Kazakhstan and was directed to policymakers working on methane management and coal mining matters. Its main objective was to recognize what the Kazakhstan’s main needs in those fields are, and on that basis identify best tools for tackling the problems that the country is presented with, as well as prepare support mechanisms aiming to increase capacity of the local stakeholders to effectively address them.
The event was delivered online with a simultaneous English-Russian interpretation. It offered policymakers from Kazakhstan an opportunity to not only present the challenges that they face and the plans that they have for improving the effectiveness of coal mine methane management, but also to engage in a discussion with international experts who will serve with their advice on how to address the identified problems.
Apart from sharing technical and regulatory experience from other Member States and offering practical, already-tested solutions that could be readily applied in the Kazakhstan’s coal sector, the event was designed to provide also guidance on determining coal mine methane-related indicators that could be included in country’s updated NDCs.
Highlights
Kazakhstan made significant progress in methane emissions reduction, achieving a 40.54% decrease since 1990, though the energy sector remains the largest emitter at 49.2% of total emissions.
Key local initiatives include:
- A comprehensive methane reduction plan supported by a $1.4 billion investment program;
- Implementation of various degassing methods at Qarmet, including preliminary and advanced degassing systems;
- Successful methane utilization projects, such as a gas generator that has processed over 302 million m³ of methane;
- An ambitious project in the Karaganda basin targeting methane extraction of up to 245.7 million m³, with potential CO2 equivalent reductions of 1.58-2.95 million tons.
Kazakhstan is also developing its coal chemistry sector, moving beyond traditional coal use to produce higher-value products like EURO 5 standard fuels, synthetic oils, and rare earth metals from ash residues. This strategic development is supported by international partnerships and improved regulatory frameworks, including methane emission taxes and a ban on flaring.
CCAC assesses that up to 98% of coal-related methane mitigation measures could be implemented at negative or low cost. The organization advocates therefore for comprehensive, ambitious, and implementation-oriented approaches and provides technical assistance and tools for countries to include methane in their NDCs.
Methane Mondays Series
Please visit also a website dedicated to Methane Mondays series where you will find information about other sessions, as well as the link to Methane Mondays Interviews.