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Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition

Mandate

The Beginning
At its sixth session held on 17-18 November 2003 the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal in Sustainable Development addressed the subject of Coal Mine Methane (CMM). Following the two background papers (ENERGY/GE.1/2003/4 and ENERGY/GE.1/2003/5) as well as a number of presentations treating on that matter delivered during the session, the secretariat put forward a proposal for establishment of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts focusing on CMM.   Read more

The Scope
The mandate of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition is to promote efficient environmentally sustainable transition of industries along the coal value chain ensuring the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions and social equity of the process through substantive, results-oriented activities that may help the recovery and use of methane in order to reduce the risks of explosions in coal mines in the context of  climate change mitigation and to contribute to sustainable development, including the support of communities, local economies and the environment in the just transition process .
The principal activity of the Group of Experts is to develop and disseminate best practices in effective  monitoring, reporting, verification and mitigation of methane emissions from active and abandoned coal mines.

The Group of Experts is also actively involved in the process of setting up the International Centres of Excellence in CMM, which undertake - under the auspices of UNECE - work on practical aspects of the abatement, capture and utilization of CMM emissions.   Read more

Areas of Work

  1. Reduction and management of methane emissions through for example recovery and use of methane from active, closed, and/or abandoned coal mines aimed at reducing the risks of explosions, mitigating climate change, and supporting sustainable development; 
  2. For those countries or regions/states that choose to cease coal mining and related activities, offering support on request on preparation of coal mines and coal mining regions and communities for mine closure and reorientation of the local economies; and
  3. Environmentally sustainable transition and repurposing of mines and existing mining infrastructure and facilitating development of new profiles of economic activity and business models that preserve social cohesion and cultural heritage of the affected localities

Bureau

The Bureau of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane is responsible for managing and developing the work of the Group between its meetings.
The Bureau comprises of a Chair and a number of Vice Chairs so that it is representative of the stakeholders in the Group.   Read more