Methane – The Other Greenhouse Gas

Methane is produced from underground and surface mines, and as a result of post-mining activities including coal processing, storage, and transportation. Underground mines are the single largest source of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in most countries. Globally, CMM accounts for 8% of total methane emissions resulting from human activities.

The production, processing, transmission, and distribution of oil and natural gas is the second largest anthropogenic (human-influenced) methane source worldwide, releasing as much as 88 billion cubic meters (BCM) or 343 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE) of methane to the atmosphere annually. Although natural gas is a clean source of energy, methane losses from natural gas systems account for 18% of total worldwide methane emissions. Emissions primarily result from normal operations, routine maintenance, and system disruptions.
Globally, landfills are the third largest anthropogenic (human influenced) emission source, accounting for about 13 percent of global methane emissions or over 223 million metric tons of carbon equivalent (MMTCE). LFG is created as a natural byproduct of decomposing organic matter, such as food and paper, disposed of in these landfills. LFG consists of about 50 percent methane, the primary component of natural gas, about 50 percent carbon dioxide, and a trace amount of non-methane organic compounds.

Methane is produced and emitted during the anaerobic decomposition of organic material in livestock manure. Globally, livestock manure management contributes approximately 72 million metric tons carbon equivalent (MMTCE) of methane emissions, roughly 4 percent of total anthropogenic (human related) methane emissions. Three groups of animals account for more than 80 percent of total emissions: swine (40 percent); non-dairy cattle (20 percent); and dairy cattle (20 percent). In certain countries, poultry is also a significant source of methane emissions.

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