Methane's Great Escape

If Europe wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, it must prioritize reducing methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It's not widely known that in the European power sector, the main source of methane emissions is coal mines, both active and abandoned. This significant issue is often overlooked, and the European Union's efforts to address it have been inadequate so far.

We documented how the largest emitters are managing—or failing to manage—methane emissions from coal mines. From the active mines in Poland to the abandoned ones in Romania, our investigation reveals Europe's current approach to this problem. What solutions are available to mitigate the climate impact of these elusive methane emissions? Our visual investigation aims to shed light on the challenges and potential strategies for addressing this critical environmental issue.

Photo: © Ronin.