The Australian Government has opened grant applications for research into reducing methane emissions in the resources sector.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the Resources Methane Abatement Fund would provide around $8.5 million in grants to universities and research institutions to develop projects that will cut methane emissions from Australia’s coal and gas industries.

“The Australian government is committed to lowering emissions and playing a lead role in helping the world to decarbonise and fight climate change,” Minister King said.

“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.”

Minister King said once commercially viable, methane abatement technology will help Australia reach net zero by 2050.

She said 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.

Further information, including the grant guidelines and how to apply, is available on https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/resources-methane-abatement-fund.