Methane emissions in Poland
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Page description
The page contains 13 visualisations, focusing on one of the two sectors with most methane emissions in Poland – hard coal mining. The visualisations are grouped into four categories (cards), starting from the general level (country and European Union) to unit level (data from individual mines).
Key findings
- The energy sector — primarily coal mining — accounts for the majority of Poland’s methane emissions, which is unusual compared to the EU, where agriculture dominates, followed by waste management, with mining in third place.
- Coal mining contributes significantly to Poland’s and the EU’s climate footprint through methane emissions. Poland accounts for 62% of EU mining-related methane emissions.
- Coal mines pay a pittance for the methane they emit – just 0.008% of the social cost of these emissions.
Technical explanations for the charts
UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UNFCCC Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the provisions of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015).
LULUCF – Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
More information
You can find broader commentary for the charts on our blog.
Instrat is actively working to reduce methane emissions from hard coal mining. As part of this project, three reports have been produced which outline the problem and discuss the relevant regulations.
Use arrows to navigate between slides. Use the cursor/touch to view details on the chart.
Page description
The page contains 13 visualisations, focusing on one of the two sectors with most methane emissions in Poland – hard coal mining. The visualisations are grouped into four categories (cards), starting from the general level (country and European Union) to unit level (data from individual mines).
Key findings
- Only a quarter of methane from coal mines is utilised economically and this proportion is growing very slowly.
- Poland does not utilise ventilation air methane (VAM), despite successful deployment of such technologies in countries including China and the United States.
- As coal production declines, methane emissions are falling, but at a slower rate than production. This is due to exploitation of increasingly methane-rich coalbeds, reflected in the rising emission intensity per each tonne of coal. The methane intensity of mines must be taken into account during the transition process.
Technical explanations for the charts
WUG – State Mining Authority
Data is originally given in cubic metres. It was converted to kilotonnes for ease of understanding, using the indicated methane density.
More information
You can find broader commentary for the charts on our blog.
Instrat is actively working to reduce methane emissions from hard coal mining. As part of this project, three reports have been produced which outline the problem and discuss the relevant regulations.
Use arrows to navigate between slides. Use the cursor/touch to view details on the chart.
Page description
The page contains 13 visualisations, focusing on one of the two sectors with most methane emissions in Poland – hard coal mining. The visualisations are grouped into four categories (cards), starting from the general level (country and European Union) to unit level (data from individual mines).
Key findings
- Two companies (JSW and PGG) are responsible for 90% of methane emissions from coal mining. The EU methane regulation in effect concerns steam coal, extracted by PGG. There is still no comprehensive regulation of emissions from coking coal mines, mostly owned by JSW
- According to the available reports, two out of three companies covered by the methane regulation (PKW & PGG) fit in the emission limits coming in effect from 2027. The targets for 2031 will pose a greater challenge
- The above assumptions are, however, the most optimistic interpretation of the regulation. Read more on our blog
- Emitting methane from drainage stations into the atmosphere is banned from 2025. Back in 2024, JSW and PGG still released significant amounts of gas this way
Technical explanations for the charts
KOBiZE – National Centre for Emissions Management
SRK – Mine Restructuring Company
WUG – State Mining Authority
More information
You can find broader commentary for the charts on our blog.
Instrat is actively working to reduce methane emissions from hard coal mining. As part of this project, three reports have been produced which outline the problem and discuss the relevant regulations.
Use arrows to navigate between slides. Use the cursor/touch to view details on the chart.
Page description
The page contains 13 visualisations, focusing on one of the two sectors with most methane emissions in Poland – hard coal mining. The visualisations are grouped into four categories (cards), starting from the general level (country and European Union) to unit level (data from individual mines).
Key findings
- In 2024, methane was emitted by 11 active hard coal mines located in Śląskie and Małopolskie voivodships. The remaining five active mines, including Bogdanka in Lubelskie voivodeship, emit only trace amounts of methane.
- Lignite open cast mines also emit methane, however in small amounts and without a real potential of reduction
- Polish mines differ in terms of emission intensity. JSW’s mines are among the leading methane emitters in the Polish mining industry; 4 of the 5 most-emitting plants belong to this company.
Technical explanations for the charts
KOBiZE – National Centre for Emissions Management
More information
You can find broader commentary for the charts on our blog.
Instrat is actively working to reduce methane emissions from hard coal mining. As part of this project, three reports have been produced which outline the problem and discuss the relevant regulations.