Coal production transportation storage and use account for roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Methane which is a potent greenhouse gas with a 100-year global warming potential 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a 100-year global temperature potential 6-fold greater than CO2 once released from coal seams in which it is trapped creates number of problems even after cessation of mining activities. Following mine closure methane emissions decrease but do not stop completely. This publication presents recommended principles and standards for effective methane recovery and use from abandoned coal mines.

Energy underpins the development of economies and most of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda. The energy sector plays a critical role in finding solutions for both sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Since the universal agreement on the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including the goal on sustainable energy SDG 7 in 2015 countries have commenced with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. However at this stage there is a gap between the agreed energy and climate targets and the strategies and systems that are being put in place today to achieve them. Accelerated and more ambitious strategies and policies will be needed to fill the persistent gaps to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Energy efficiency is widely viewed as one of the most effective ways to achieve multiple economic social and environmental benefits and is at a core of making significant progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. This publication presents the outcome of a survey among the energy efficiency practitioners on the challenges and solutions for overcoming barriers to energy efficiency investments. The primary geographic focus is the UNECE region comprising 56 member States from Western Europe (members and non-members of the European Union) North America (Canada and the United States) South-East Europe Eastern Europe the Caucasus Central Asia Israel Turkey and the Russian Federation. This is a joint effort by the UNECE and the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency. The analysis of the survey and its conclusions and recommendations will serve as a useful tool for energy efficiency community. Policy makers can apply the results to the situation in their countries and find approaches to improve investment climate for energy efficiency.

This publication includes a set of 14 case studies on the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to geothermal energy from Australia Germany Hungary Iceland Italy the Netherlands New Zealand the Philippines and Russian Federation. The case studies presented here illustrate the application of the geothermal energy specifications for the uniform use of UNFC in different contexts. These application examples from different countries provide a range of scenarios in the classification of geothermal resources in a manner consistent with the classification of other energy resources.

It examines the current status of ESCO development in twelve countries participating in the project. For the purposes of the report all participating countries are divided into three groups: member states of the European Union (EU) South-Eastern European countries and countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (the latter represented by Kazakhstan). The development of the ESCO market in these countries is not at the same level. The proposed grouping helps examine the current situation with ESCOs in the countries based on their geographical situation and neighborhood as well as the membership in and/or relationship with the EU. Information presented in this report is based on the results of desk research findings of the Regional Analysis of Policy Reforms to Promote EE and RE Investments (undertaken earlier in the framework of the FEEI project) information provided by the National Coordinators (NCs) and National Participation Institutions (NPIs) in the framework of the project consultations with experts in the ESCO market area and other available information.

This publication aims to identify existing barriers to energy efficiency policy implementation and to provide recommendations to policymakers for reforms that can support market formation and foster favourable climate for investments in energy efficiency. It develops a benchmark that should serve as a reference point for policymakers and energy experts working in the field of energy efficiency. This benchmark is a synthesis of policy incentives that should be in place in order to stimulate and ensure successful energy efficiency policy outcomes. The desired policies are divided into three groups: 1) legal institutional and regulatory; 2) economic and financial; and 3) socio-political. A set of these policies in place at a sufficient degree in a particular country is a basis for successful formulation and implementation of energy efficiency policies and related projects.

This publication contains the text of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) and the Specifications (basic rules) for its Application. UNFC-2009 is a universally acceptable and internationally applicable scheme for the classification and reporting of fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources and is currently the only classification in the world to do so. As with extractive activities UNFC-2009 reflects conditions in the economic and social domain including markets and government framework conditions technological and industrial maturity and the ever present uncertainties. It provides a single framework on which to build international energy and mineral studies analyze government resource management policies plan industrial processes and allocate capital efficiently. The Specifications make UNFC-2009 operational. They set out the basic rules that are considered necessary to ensure an appropriate level of consistency in application. They provide additional instructions on how UNFC-2009 should be applied in specific circumstances. By covering all extractive activities UNFC-2009 captures the common principles and provides a tool for consistent reporting for these activities regardless of the commodity. It is a strong code that paves the way for improved global communications which will aid stability and security of supplies governed by fewer and more widely understood rules and guidelines. The efficiencies to be gained through the global use of UNFC-2009 and its Specifications are substantial.

Coal mines are not only a safety management challenge but also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Methane release during coal mining creates unsafe working conditions in underground coal mines around the world. This Guidance is intended to provide a genuine contribution to improve mine safety practices at active underground coal mines by supporting safer mining practices to reduce fatalities injuries and property losses while encouraging the use of coal mine methane (CMM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize otherwise —wasted energy resources.