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Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition

Anna Piwowarska

Economic Affairs Officer

Energy, Housing and Land Management Division

UNECE

COAL MINE METHANE

JUST TRANSITION

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To promote the efficient and environmentally sustainable transition of industries along the coal value chain ensuring the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions and social equity of the process

Activities on recovery and use of methane from active, closed, and/or abandoned coal mines
Support (on request) on preparation of coal mines and coal mining regions and communities for mine closure and reorientation of the local economies
Propose and pilot principles-based framework for just transition of active coal mining areas [integrated approach to sustainable development that brings together social progress, workers’ protection, environmental consciousness, and economic success into a framework of democratic governance and institutional support]

Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane

and Just Transition

Mandate & Areas of Work

The mandate of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and JT is to promote the efficient and environmentally sustainable transition of industries along the coal value chain ensuring the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions and social equity of the process
The mandate is carried out through activities aiming at the reduction and management of methane emissions through for example recovery and use of methane from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines
For those countries that choose to cease coal mining and related activities, the Group also offers support (on request) on preparation for mine closure and reorientation of the local economies (in partnership w other international organizations, as appropriate, eg w UNCTs)
The Group also works with all stakeholders to promote the principles of just transition
The Group is carrying out these activities through 3 TFs: (i) Methane Emissions Reduction, (ii) Just Transition, and (iii) Safe Operations and Closure of Coal Mines
I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Group and its TFs for dedicated their time and expertise – many of whom are here today in this meeting and this Panel.

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Task Force on Just Transition
Develops strategies for a fair and equitable transition for workers and communities affected by the energy transition
Promotes resilient and carbon-neutral energy systems

Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane

and Just Transition

Task Forces of the UNECE Group of Experts on CMMJT

2. Task Force on Methane Emissions Reduction

Advances efforts to measure, reduce, and manage methane emissions from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines
Contributes to mine safety, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development

3. Task Force on Safe Operations and Closure of Coal Mines

Develops safety protocols and best practices
Supports responsible and safe mine closure to protect workers and the environment

Governance

Chairs nominated by the Group Chair in cooperation with the Bureau
Mandate: 2 years, renewable
Task Forces report annually to the Group of Experts and regularly to the Bureau

The mandate of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and JT is to promote the efficient and environmentally sustainable transition of industries along the coal value chain ensuring the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions and social equity of the process
The mandate is carried out through activities aiming at the reduction and management of methane emissions through for example recovery and use of methane from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines
For those countries that choose to cease coal mining and related activities, the Group also offers support (on request) on preparation for mine closure and reorientation of the local economies (in partnership w other international organizations, as appropriate, eg w UNCTs)
The Group also works with all stakeholders to promote the principles of just transition
The Group is carrying out these activities through 3 TFs: (i) Methane Emissions Reduction, (ii) Just Transition, and (iii) Safe Operations and Closure of Coal Mines
I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Group and its TFs for dedicated their time and expertise – many of whom are here today in this meeting and this Panel.

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Ventilation Air Methane (VAM ) Mitigation (2025)
Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines (2010, 2nd edition 2016)
Effective Methane Recovery and Use from Abandoned Coal Mines (2019)
Effective Management of Coal Mine Methane at National Level: Monitoring, Reporting,

Verification and Mitigation (2021)

UNECE Best Practice Guidance documents

The GoE CMMJT, in partnership with the Global Methane Initiative, produced Best Practice guidance on methane monitoring, recovery, and use:

for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines (2010, 2^nd edition 2016)
for Effective Methane Recovery and Use from Abandoned Coal Mines (2019)
for Effective Management of Coal Mine Methane at National Level: Monitoring, Reporting, Verification and Mitigation (2021)
on ventilation air methane (VAM )Processing –forthcoming, mid-2024

The documents present recommended principles on CMM capture and use, providing decision-makers with a base of understanding from which to direct policy and commercial decisions.

They do not replace or supersede laws and regulations.

These best practice guidance documents have been endorsed by ECOSOC because of their global relevance.

Indeed, ECOSOC has invited all UN Members States and international organizations to “consider the possibility of taking appropriate measures to ensure the application of the Best Practice Guidances in countries worldwide”. (so, beyond ECE region)

These UNECE Publications are available for everyone to download for free from UNECE website.

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On demand-based capacity building and awareness raising events

ECE region (Belgium, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA)
And beyond (China, Colombia, India, Thailand)

Supports the work of International Centres of Excellence on CMM
Case studies on the application of the best practices identified by the Group of Experts in specific coal mines in different regions of the world
Convening, advocacy, outreach

Coal Mine Methane

Activities

Supports Global Methane Pledge

Encourages States to join the initiative and offers assistance to facilitate that process

Global Methane Forum 2024

Co-organized with GMI and CCAC to promote replicable methane mitigation successes and mobilize action

Contributes to IMEO’s work on the Steel & Methane Partnership

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What are International Centres of Excellence on Coal Mine Methane (ICE-CMMs) ?
Non-profit entities established under the national laws of host countries
Operate under the auspices of the UNECE Group of Experts on CMMJT

Mission and Role
Mission: support global and regional efforts to reduce and manage coal mine methane (CMM)
Advocacy: facilitate dialogue on safety, environmental, and economic aspects of CMM
Capacity-Building: Provide training, research, develop case studies
Development and Maintenance: collect and share information and Best Practices on CMM management

Established ICE-CMMs - operational since 2017

ICE-CMM Poland (Katowice) ICE-CMM China (Shanxi)

Coal Mine Methane

International Centres of Excellence on Coal Mine Methane

Overview of ICE-CMMs - Brochure

The mandate of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and JT is to promote the efficient and environmentally sustainable transition of industries along the coal value chain ensuring the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions and social equity of the process
The mandate is carried out through activities aiming at the reduction and management of methane emissions through for example recovery and use of methane from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines
For those countries that choose to cease coal mining and related activities, the Group also offers support (on request) on preparation for mine closure and reorientation of the local economies (in partnership w other international organizations, as appropriate, eg w UNCTs)
The Group also works with all stakeholders to promote the principles of just transition
The Group is carrying out these activities through 3 TFs: (i) Methane Emissions Reduction, (ii) Just Transition, and (iii) Safe Operations and Closure of Coal Mines
I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Group and its TFs for dedicated their time and expertise – many of whom are here today in this meeting and this Panel.