Europe is taking numerous steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but some of them do not mean that the problem is truly solved. More and more coal mines are being closed, yet methane from abandoned mines continues to quietly escape into the atmosphere.
This greenhouse gas is over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term, and methane emissions from these mines can last for decades after closure.
AMM – Abandoned Mine Methane – emissions from abandoned mines are not always constant. As explained on the EMBER website, they behave like a mine’s “breathing.” Changes in atmospheric pressure cause the mine to “inhale” air and “exhale” methane. When the pressure is higher, air is pushed into the mine, and when it drops, the accumulated gas is released.
There are thousands of closed coal mines across Europe, and in 2021 alone, the European Union estimated that closed and abandoned mines emitted 235,000 tons of methane. The largest share comes from Romania – as much as 83 percent. The challenge remains that there are no direct measurements, so these are only approximate figures.
Research by Global Energy Monitor shows how underestimated official figures are. In Poland, the government reported 21,500 tons of AMM emissions for 2021, while a 2024 analysis revealed that mines closed since 2015 emit around 75,000 tons annually – more than three times higher.
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How the EU Regulates Methane from Abandoned Mines
Last year, the EU Methane Regulation was adopted, making this issue one of the priorities. Until then, it was largely unregulated, with no specific responsibilities. The regulation requires that all Member States, by August 5, 2025, publish a public register of closed and abandoned underground coal mines where exploitation ceased after August 3, 1954. From May 5, 2026, methane emissions from these mines will have to be directly measured, and by February 5, 2027, a mitigation plan must be developed. From January 1, 2030, venting and flaring of methane from capture equipment will be prohibited.
Technology to monitor, capture, and utilize AMM already exists. One way to use it is for supplying households and industry. Although burning methane releases CO₂, it is a better option than venting it into the atmosphere, as methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
While possibilities are open, the next steps remain dependent on political will.
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