March 23, 2023

Romania's methane leaks are undermining its green transition

topic:	Divestment
located:	Romania
editor:	Katarzyna Rybarczyk

As part of the European Union’s transition to a green economy, the bloc has the objective to phase out coal by 2040 in every member country. Romania aims to eliminate coal even sooner, by 2030. In a move to decarbonise the country's energy sector, Romania has been closing coal-fired power plants. However, although active mining has partially stopped, abandoned mines still produce significant methane emissions. 

Methane is an odourless, colourless gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, which makes it one of the main drivers of climate change. “Coal mining emits 52 million metric tons of methane per year, more than is emitted from either the oil sector or the gas industry,” revealed a report published by Global Energy Monitor.

Romania is gradually closing down its coal mines but, unfortunately, even “when you close a mine, the methane continues to seep out of those disturbed seams. And it can continue to do that for as long as the century,” explains the World Bank. This is because methane continues to emerge from diffuse vents, fissures and boreholes. 

When it comes to methane emissions, Romania ranks second in the EU and the country is responsible for 85 percent of the methane emitted by abandoned coal mines. EU institutions have previously suggested that Romania must step up its efforts to protect the environment. Overlooking the issue of methane from abandoned mines stands in the way of the country achieving its climate targets. 

As methane sets a faster pace for global warming than CO2, the environmental toll of emissions linked to no-longer operating mines is paramount. Additionally, studies show that methane decreases air quality by increasing the concentration of ozone. This poses a threat to ecosystems, crops and livestock. “One of the most important things we can do to protect the planet’s vital ecosystems over the coming decades is dramatically reduce methane emissions,” said Drew Shindell from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

Experts point out that “methane emissions from Romania’s abandoned coal mines are at alarming levels.” Apart from having implications for the environment, they pose a threat to human health. Globally, exposure to methane causes one million premature deaths every year. Those who live in the vicinity of former coal mines are particularly at risk of respiratory diseases. 

Luckily, there is a way to capture methane emissions from abandoned mines and use them to produce electricity and heat. The capture of abandoned mine methane “offers many benefits, such as improved safety, air quality and health, energy supply and environmental performance,” observes the UN.

To be able to do that, however, the Romanian government must come up with a regulatory scheme and place more effort on developing technology to recover methane. If Romania takes advantage of this opportunity, it will be able to turn a harmful phenomenon into a major clean energy source.

Image by Bart van Dijk