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Methane Action Plan

Methane is responsible for ⅓ of Australia’s emissions, with a significant proportion of that methane pollution coming from coal & gas mining. The Australian Government does not currently have a plan to reduce coal & gas methane emissions, which the International Energy Agency says is our best strategy in tackling climate change. The IEA’s 2023 Roadmap to Net Zero outlines that methane reduction in the coal & gas sector as one of the top four actions needed to keep warming below 1.5°C, modelling the need for a 75% cut in methane by 2030.

Global momentum on methane action is growing, with dozens of Australia's counterparts that have signed the Global Methane Pledge now implementing Methane Action Plans. 

Committing to a Methane Action Plan, starting with the coal & gas sector is a huge opportunity to make life-saving emissions cuts this decade.

We need a National Methane Action Plan, including:

  • Methane target: 75% cut in fossil methane on 2020 levels by 2030. 
  • Strengthening the Safeguard Mechanism by 
    • removing methane offsetting 
    • increasing the decline rate of methane emissions 
  • Phasing out routine venting and flaring
  • Good rehabilitation of coal & gas mines
  • Ensuring investment in mitigation and MRV, including cost recovery