India’s Coal Expansion Could Double Methane Emissions By 2029

A report by independent energy think tank Ember has warned that India’s coal production, expected to rise from 982 million to over 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, could significantly increase methane emissions. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is the second-most abundant after carbon dioxide and has a more immediate but powerful effect on global warming. India's coal mining is a key source of these emissions, leaking from vents, pits, and underground cracks. 

India, already one of the world’s largest methane emitters from coal mines, plans to meet surging energy demand by boosting domestic coal production. However, according to Ember’s projections, this expansion could cause a doubling of methane emissions by 2029 compared to levels from a decade earlier. This increase, Ember noted, would pose a serious challenge to India’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and hamper its climate goals. 

While India is grappling with growing electricity demand that outstrips its renewable energy capacity, Ember’s report suggests the country should consider investing in methane capture technologies. Such technologies could not only reduce emissions but potentially allow India to use methane as a substitute for imported gas, offering economic benefits. 

The report comes as global efforts to curb methane emissions accelerate. The European Union and the United States, along with over 150 other nations, have pledged to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. However, key emitters like India, China, and Russia have yet to join this "Global Methane Pledge." Methane emissions continue to rise at an accelerating rate, with coal extraction, along with oil and gas production, being major contributors. 

The warnings for India echo similar concerns raised last week about China’s planned coal mine expansions, which could further intensify global methane levels.