UK methane hotspots identified at landfills and coalmine

Recent findings have identified significant methane emissions hotspots in the UK, particularly at landfills and the Aberpergwm colliery, the last coalmine in the country. Other notable locations include Selby, which houses the Drax power station and several old landfills. The data raises concerns about the accuracy of the UK's methane emissions calculations, with suggestions that emissions from oil and gas operations may be vastly underestimated. A 2022 Royal Society of Chemistry paper indicated that the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) might not accurately reflect methane leakage due to outdated data and incomplete reporting. Farming is also a major contributor to methane emissions, yet it remains largely unreported and diffuse. The Climate Change Committee has emphasized the need for the UK to double its pace of methane reduction to meet its target of a 30% decrease. The UN Environment Programme has set a more ambitious goal, advocating for a 45% reduction by 2030 to mitigate future warming. Critics, including Greenpeace, have urged the Labour party to fulfill international obligations regarding methane emissions. The discrepancies in reported emissions have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability from the industry, particularly as new satellite data is expected to provide clearer insights into underreported emissions. Overall, the findings highlight the urgent need for improved monitoring and reporting of methane emissions across various sectors in the UK, as well as the importance of addressing the climate crisis through effective emission reduction strategies.