Groundbreaking satellite monitoring tool shows significant underestimation of methane emissions from fossil fuel sites
Analysis from Open Methane has revealed Australia's top twenty methane hot spots. All of them are located near sites of significant coal or gas extraction.
The Open Methane project team is today releasing a list of Australia’s twenty methane hotspots, based on satellite observations. Open Methane is a new online tool that uses satellite technology to measure methane at a 10x10km resolution across Australia. Already in use in comparable countries, satellite technology offers a more accurate and detailed assessment of methane emissions compared to Australia’s existing methods.
Currently, Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) relies on self-reported data from major emitters, using emissions factors based on activity levels like the amount of coal mined, or on sparse and nontransparent local measurements. This approach creates significant risk of inaccuracy. Open Methane demonstrates how satellite-based measurements, when combined with ground-based verification, can provide a clearer picture of actual emissions.
Preliminary results from Open Methane estimate that methane emissions may be around double what is currently being reported. These initial results suggest that fossil fuel sites may be significantly underreported under the current NGERS framework. These findings underscore the urgent need for Australia to adopt independent methods in its emissions reporting to ensure more reliable data for its greenhouse gas inventory.
