China plans to reduce methane emissions, a climate-warming gas, released during coal mining through tougher rules, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on December 12.

Methane is a greenhouse gas with a greater warming potential than CO2, lingering in the atmosphere for about a decade compared to CO2's 1,000 years, which means a fast reduction in methane emissions could slower global warming relatively quickly.

Over 150 countries have promised to reduce methane emissions by 30%. China, one of major emitters, has not made such a commitment but has pledged to capture more methane from mines and strengthen controls at livestock farms and landfills last year.

Mines that release emissions with methane content of 8% or higher (or more than 10 cu.m of pure methane per minute) must capture the gas, and any methane that cannot be used must be eliminated, according to the new rules.

The figure has been reduced from the 30% standard set in 2008 for preventing mine explorations and advancing the utility of coalbed methane as fuel.

New mines must obey the rules by April, 2025, while existing mines are expected to do so by April, 2027.

Totaling 3,000 coal mines in China account for around 40% of the country's total methane emissions, similar to the amount generated from agricultural activities.

From January 1, 2023 to April 1, 2024, satellites have observed 23 large-scale methane plumes from coal mines in China, Australia, Colombia and Mexico, according to research published by the think tank Global Energy Monitor on December 12.