The Federal Government has announced $8.5 million in grants for a new project aiming to cut methane emissions from Australia’s coal and gas industries.
Grant applications are now open, with the Resources Methane Abatement Fund to provide the necessary funding to research institutions and universities.
Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King, said that the government is committed to lowering emissions and playing a lead role in helping the world to decarbonise and fight climate change.
“Fugitive emissions from coal and gas projects are responsible for around 29 per cent of Australia’s methane emissions.
“The Albanese Government is determined to lower emissions from the resources sector, and we will work with industry to decarbonise and curb fugitive methane emissions.”
Ms King said that once commercially viable, methane abatement technology will help Australia reach net zero by 2050, and that the grants program also supported Australia’s commitments under the Global Methane Pledge and government reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism.
The grants were announced as part of the 2022-23 October Budget.