Global methane
emissions are at record levels and record growth rates. India ranks third out
of all countries for total methane emissions. Most of those emissions, however,
about 72%, come from agriculture, and most of those come from cows. A recent
report from Ember details the expected growth in India’s cola mine methane
emissions as new mines are opened and other ones expanded. They predict that coal
mine methane emissions could double by the end of the decade if capture and mitigation
are not optimized.
While most of
India’s recent mine developments have been surface mines which do not release
as much methane as underground mines, the forecast is now for underground mines
to triple. Ember also notes that by applying the right mitigation technologies,
India could limit those emissions considerably. According to the Independent:
“Techniques like pre-mine drainage, which involves
extracting methane from coal seams before mining starts; ventilation air
methane oxidation, which captures methane from mine ventilation systems; and
flaring, which burns off methane and turns it into less harmful carbon dioxide,
can help capture methane and convert it into a useful energy source.”
Addressing coal mine methane has some important
co-benefits. Most important is that it makes mines safer for miners as gas
explosions are a very real and potentially devastating danger. Second, other
components in methane can increase local ground-level ozone which is a serious
air pollutant.
Between 2010
and 2019 methane emissions decoupled somewhat from cola production as
underground mining slowed relative to surface mining as shown below. In 2022,
96% of India’s coal came from surface mines and only 4% from underground mines.
Underground mines are much ‘gassier’ than surface mines. Power demand in India
is growing rapidly. Coal currently powers about 212 GW of electricity (2023)
and that is expected to grow to 260 GW by 2031. That is a 48 GW increase.
Like China,
India is still considered to be a developing nation with a developing energy
sector and economy that is still ramping up to provide energy access and more power
for industry and commerce. Thus, its emissions are expected to peak much later
than in developed countries, where they have already peaked in many countries. Different
analyses suggest different mitigation costs for India’s coal mine methane emissions,
but Ember thinks that emissions reductions of 7% per year from the new mines is
achievable. Of course, methane emissions mitigation has the incentive of the
captured emissions being a sellable energy product. Ember considers their predictions
conservative noting:
“Under the more conservative mitigation scenario presented in this report, we estimate that a moderate roll out of coal mine methane mitigation technologies across underground and surface coal mines could save more than 1,600 kt of methane between 2025 and 2030. If this gas was captured and utilised as electricity, offsetting the use of imported gas, it could save up to $980 million USD over the next five years.”
There are
currently no methane mitigation projects operational in India. Therefore, the
potential is big for mitigation. Methane mitigation potential varies by mine
and is also dependent on mine design, geology, and operational practices. Cost
considerations are important and suggest that the lowest-cost solutions such
as flaring will be implemented first. If the captured methane is to be used for
fuel, then additional investments will be needed.
Overview of India’s Total Methane Emissions with an
Emphasis on Livestock
India is the
world’s largest producer of milk, with 80 million dairy farmers producing 231
million tons of milk in 2023. There are bout 303 bovine cattle in India, which
includes cows and buffalo. As mentioned, agriculture makes up about 72% of
India’s total methane emissions, and livestock alone account for 48%, about
half, of India's total methane emissions. One solution being tried is feeding
cows more nutritious food aided by genetic improvements which increase their
milk production, meaning that fewer cows are needed for the same amount of milk
production. It is estimated that this could reduce methane emissions from cows
by about 15%. Projects involving new feeds to reduce methane production via
reducing enteric fermentation in cows, on the other hand, have resulted in less
milk production per cow which severely limits its effectiveness in addressing the issue. This means that these solutions are not currently sustainable
since more cows would be needed to produce the same amount of milk.
“Climate-smart dairying is the need of the hour,”
said Meenesh Shah, chairman of the National Dairy Development Board.
Other solutions
include utilizing more local breeds that emit less methane. The problem of
livestock methane emissions is not likely to improve very much. The emissions
are dispersed and can’t be captured, compared to energy sector emissions. The
effects of mitigation requirements on India’s farmers, many of which are poor, must also be
considered.
References:
India’s
methane emissions from coal mining are set to double – but it can be put to
good use. Stuti Mishra. The Independent. September 19, 2024. India’s
methane emissions from coal mining are set to double – but it can be put to
good use (msn.com)
India
has millions of dairy farmers. It's creating a methane problem that's tricky to
solve. Sibi Arasu. The Independent. March 23. 2024. India
has millions of dairy farmers. It's creating a methane problem that's tricky to
solve | The Independent
Coal
mine methane’s critical moment in India. Chris Wright, Rajasekhar Modadugu, and
Bandish Patel. Ember. September 19, 2024. Coal
mine methane’s critical moment in India | Ember (ember-climate.org)
Distribution
of methane (CH4) emissions in India in 2020, by sector. Statista. 2024. India:
methane emissions shares by sector | Statista
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