LOUD published research titled ‘Coal Mine Closures Significantly Increase Land Water Storage in China’ in the Nature subsidiary journal Communications: Earth & Environment

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Urban Design and Urban Science (LOUD) collaborated with Professor Zhang Bo's team from Xiamen University to publish a research paper titled ‘Coal Mine Closure Substantially Increases Terrestrial Water Storage in China’ in the Nature subsidiary journal Communications Earth & Environment.

Figure: (a) Geographic distribution of coal mines in China from 2014 to 2019. (b) Trends in terrestrial water storage within a 25-kilometer radius of closed mines, active mines, and GRACE grid cells with no coal mining activity.

The process of coal transition often involves widespread coal mine closures. While the potential adverse effects of this process on industry and local economies have received considerable attention, empirical evidence regarding its impact and benefits on water resources remains lacking. This paper utilizes satellite data and a staggered difference-in-differences approach to quantify the effects of coal mine closures on terrestrial water storage (TWS) in China. The results indicate that TWS rapidly rebounds after coal mine closures, with an average annual increase of 18.8 ± 8.9 mm. The increase in TWS is primarily attributed to a significant rise in groundwater storage and a reduction in industrial water use. Additionally, the study finds that the increase in TWS not only offsets the potential indirect impacts of climate change measures on water resources but may also provide additional water resource benefits in areas facing water scarcity. Overall, this research highlights the positive environmental impact of coal mine closures on water resources in China, which could facilitate the future transition of the coal industry and strengthen the case for sustainable energy transition.

Professor Zhang Bo, one of the authors of the paper, states that achieving a robust and equitable energy transition requires the introduction of interdisciplinary approaches to scientifically demonstrate and comprehensively assess the various positive and negative impacts that energy transition may entail. This study confirms that the series of coal mines closed during the implementation of China's "capacity reduction" policy has resulted in considerable water resource benefits, which have previously gone unnoticed by researchers, stakeholders, and the public, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China, where the importance of water is undeniable. The relatively swift publication of this paper reflects the significant importance of such research, as it provides a case study for exploring sustainable energy transition pathways in different countries. There remain numerous scientific questions that require further in-depth exploration.

The author, ChengHe Guan, states that LOUD is dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused on low-carbon cities, integrating urban science and environmental planning to explore new areas of urban research. By applying rigorous scientific research methods and data processing techniques, the laboratory reanalyzes, perceives, and predicts urban development challenges in the context of climate change. Previously, LOUD has published research on energy-based urban classification and sustainable development, such as ‘Coal Resource-Based Cities at the Crossroads: Towards a Sustainable Urban Future’. LOUD will continue to deepen scientific research on low-carbon and zero-carbon cities, providing a scientific basis for urban development policy formulation.

Paper Link:

Ma, R., Gao, J., Guan, C. et al. Coal mine closure substantially increases terrestrial water storage in China. Communications Earth & Environment 5, 418 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01589-z