Australia

Emissions Profiles

Australia is the world's 11th largest emitter of methane. While cattle are the country's largest source of methane emissions, approximately 30 percent of its anthropogenic methane emissions—38.1 MTCO2E—come from coal mining, landfills, and natural gas and oil systems.

Australia 2005 Methane Emissions by Source

Source: 2006 USEPA Report: Global Anthropogenic Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions:1990-2020 http://www.epa.gov/nonco2/econ-inv/international.html Exiting Methane to Markets.

Experience and Opportunities for Methane Projects

Rates of methane recovery from solid waste have improved substantially since 1993, increasing from a negligible amount in 1990 to 23.6 percent in 2003. There are now 37 landfill gas power generation projects in operation in Australia (around 9 percent of total renewable energy generators), with a combined capacity of approximately 105 MW.

Australian government policy and programs relevant to the capture and use of methane gas include renewable energy incentive programs, greenhouse gas abatement programs, grants for technology and commercialization, and the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).

  • The Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme aims to reduce Australia's net greenhouse gas emissions by supporting activities that are likely to result in substantial emissions reductions or activities to offset greenhouse emissions.
  • The Greenhouse Challenge Plus is a cooperative effort between industry and the Australian government that aims to encourage industry to reduce their greenhouse emissions by improving efficiency in energy use and processing and reducing fugitive emissions.
  • The MRET mandates an increase in the contribution of renewable energy to Australia's grid-based electricity supply mix to achieve an additional 9,500 GWh per year by 2010. Landfill gas is an eligible renewable energy source under the MRET.

Other Background

Australia ranks 6th in global emissions from coal mining. It is a world leader in innovative uses for coal mine methane, especially ventilation air methane (VAM). Australia is planning an upcoming launch of world's first commercial VAM project.

Committee Membership

Australia participates in the following committees:

  • Steering Committee
  • Coal Technical Subcommittee
  • Oil and Gas Technical Subcommittee
  • Landfill Technical Subcommittee
  • Agriculture Subcommittee
  • Partnership Expo Task Force

Australia Subcommittee Contacts.

Australia Methane to Markets Partnership booklet (PDF, 9 pp., 2 MB)

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