Methane cannot be seen or smelled, but it accelerates the climate crisis and can be released during the exploration, operation, closure, and abandonment of coal mines. Understanding what this gas is, why it traps much more heat than CO₂, and how it relates to mining helps reveal a problem that remains largely invisible in Colombia.

Methane contributes significantly to global warming, and coal mining in Colombia is part of this problem. Its emissions can occur during mine exploration, operation, closure, and post-closure, yet gaps remain in how they are measured and controlled. Accounting for all emission sources makes it possible to demand greater transparency, protect health, and move toward a

Methane associated with coal mining poses climate, labor, and regulatory challenges for Colombia. Measuring it properly, reporting it transparently, and verifying its emissions are key to making public decisions based on technical criteria and a human rights approach. This material presents measurement methods according to mine type, mitigation options, and challenges linked to new international

Colombia is still regulating fixed-source emissions under a standard issued more than 15 years ago. Today, sectors such as coal-fired power plants and coke manufacturing require stricter rules to protect health, air quality, and territories exposed to pollution. Based on a comparison with international standards, this material shows the gaps in Colombian regulation and the