Mongolia  Joined GMI in 2008 

Methane Emissions Summary

As of 2023, methane was Mongolia’s second most prevalent greenhouse gas and contributed 33% of the country’s total emissions. The primary sources of methane emissions in Mongolia are enteric fermentation in the agriculture sector, fugitive emissions from coal mining activities, and solid waste disposal at landfills. Mongolia’s methane emissions increased by 65% between 1990 and 2014, and are projected to increase 3.5 times by 2050, based on the baseline scenario. The increasing trend of methane emissions from solid waste disposal is a result of population growth and changes in waste management practices.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Trends, 1990-2014

Trend in Total GHG Emissions (Primarily Methane) from Livestock Enteric Fermentation by Animal Type, 1990-2014

Trend of Methane Emissions from Solid Waste Disposal, 1990-2014

Source: Mongolia’s National Inventory Report, Climate Change Project Implementing Unit, 2017: https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/non-annex_i_parties/ica/technical_analysis_of_burs/application/pdf/mongolia-bur1-1-nir.pdf

Greenhouse Gas Projections, 2010-2050

Source: Mongolia’s Second Biennial Update Report on Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, November 2023: https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/SubmissionsStaging/NationalReports/Documents/806571_Mongolia-BUR2-1-20231112%20BUR%20II_MGL%20Final.pdf

Methane Commitments and Plans

Methane mitigation efforts in Mongolia are guided by national and international commitments and plans. Mongolia also engages in partnerships dedicated to addressing methane.

National

• Mongolia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), submitted in 2020, commits to a 22.7% reduction in total national greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and will implement measures to increase utilization of coal bed methane emissions.
• National Action Programme on Climate Change establishes a climate adaptation and mitigation framework in Mongolia with a focus on green economic growth and development. The program includes consideration of measures to reduce methane emissions from the agriculture and waste sector, including the recovery of methane from landfills.
• Mongolia’s National Inventory Report, published in 2017, documents methane emissions and mitigation activities across sectors.
• Mongolia’s Second Biennial Update Report on Climate Change, published in 2023, includes methane emissions projections and documents Mongolia’s commitments to increase the utilization of methane gas from coal mines.

International

• Mongolia is a member of the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reducing global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. 
• Mongolia became a partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2014, supporting activities to reduce methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.

Methane Actions

The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Mongolia to address methane, organized by GMI sector.    

Coal Sector  

• Mongolia participates in the UN’s Partnership for Action on Green Economy program, which implemented a range of climate measures to support the country’s green economy transition, including a coal phase out and an increase in renewable energy as a power source. (2013)

Cross Sector

In 2017, Mongolia became a member of BreatheLife, committing to increase renewable power, reducing methane emissions from landfills and wastewater treatment plants, and establishing air quality and emissions monitoring systems

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following website to learn more about the government ministries addressing methane emissions.

• Ministry of Environment and Tourism