This report investigates the historical implementation and potential implications of expanding the current application of company-led reporting for open-cut coal mines across Australia. It does so through an assessment of eight operating and two proposed coal mines, and a comparison of emission reporting under respective state-based emissions factors.

The report argues that a proposal for open-cut coal mines to self-report their emissions, without external review, transparency, verification could further undermine reporting standards and reward coal miners in the process.

Key findings

• Close to 8.5 Mt CO2-e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) has been erased after three coal mines shifted their reporting methodology since the Safeguard Mechanism began.
• Company-led estimates have reported fugitive emissions up to 135 times less than state-based estimates.
• By 2050, under-regulated reporting could erase 47 Mt CO2-e from only two coal mines if expansion plans are approved.