Satellite Coal Mine Methane Observation Map
An interactive map showing the potential of methane emission detection, via satellites, at worldwide coal mining sites throughout the year
Updated March 2025
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About
For its first 20 years in the atmosphere, methane’s warming impact is 80 times that of carbon dioxide. Despite coal mines releasing methane, emissions are accurately tracked at very few sites. Spaceborne methane monitoring techniques, using satellites, are becoming a key tool for tracking global methane emissions – providing insights, which can be used by governments, industry, and civil society organisations.
In Ember’s report “The Geography Factor”, analysts assessed the impact of environmental factors on the effectiveness of spaceborne methane monitoring techniques. This data tool, originally featured in the report, displays the varying potential for satellite methane detection across operational coal mines worldwide – factoring in the effects of annual cloud cover, sunlight availability, solar zenith angles, elevation, and wind patterns, among other variables.
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Methodology
Read more about our methodology here.
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