Rising flaring calls for change and sustainable solutions

The WB’s report on gas flaring serves as a glaring reminder of the work that lies ahead, but also as a call to action to accelerate efforts towards a more sustainable and efficient energy future, says Hesham El Shamy, Head of Oil Gas Aggreko AMEA

- ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

THE latest Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report has unveiled a disturbing trend in global gas flaring practices, emphasising the urgent need for change to mitigate its growing impact on our planet.

In 2023, gas flaring surged by nine billion cu m (bcm) to reach a staggering 148 bcm globally, releasing approximately 381 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) – the highest level observed since 2019.

This alarming increase in gas flaring is equivalent to adding five million cars to the world's roads, painting a stark picture of the environmental consequences.

The 7 per cent rise from 2022 to 2023 represents a troubling reversal of the reduction trend observed between 2021 and 2022, raising significant concerns among environmental experts, policymakers, and industry leaders alike.

Nine countries, including the Russian Federation, Iraq, the US, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, and Mexico, are responsible for a disproportionate 75 per cent of the world's gas flaring while only accounting for 46 per cent of oil production.

This imbalance underscores the need for targeted action in these regions to address the issue effectively and reduce global emissions.

The impact of this increased gas flaring extends far beyond mere numbers.

The volume of gas flared in 2023 is sufficient to double the energy supply currently available to the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

This comparison highlights the immense potential for positive change if gas flaring practices were better managed and the resources harnessed more effectively.

The World Bank's Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative aims to eliminate non-emergency flaring, potentially reducing flared gas volumes by up to 95 per cent.

This ambitious goal, if achieved, would mark a significant milestone in the fight against climate change and resource waste.