More than $4m in grants introduced to lower methane emissions

The Australian Government will invest more than $4m in new research to help lower methane emissions from resources projects and help Australia achieve net zero by 2050.

Two research grants have been introduced to the CSIRO and the University of Newcastle for projects which will trial new technology that will tackle methane emissions from coal mines.

The grants — $2.05m for the CSIRO and $2.3m for the University of Newcastle — come from the Resources Methane Abatement Fund and will be for projects that tackle ventilation air methane.

The Methane Abatement Fund supports research organisations to undertake development, prototype verification and validation, and demonstration level projects.

Federal Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King commented on the grants.

“Reducing methane emissions from the resources sector will be an important part of the global transaction to net zero, as well as Australia’s transition,” she said.

“When commercially viable, these two projects will not only help to lower methane emissions from coal projects, but also make mining safer for those who work underground.

“The new grants also support Australia’s commitments to the Global Methane Pledge, and the government’s safeguard mechanism.”