Gas flaring emissions reached critical levels in 2024. The World Bank’s latest report reveals a total of 389 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) emitted worldwide. This includes 46 MtCO₂e from unburnt methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The volume of gas flared increased to 151 billion cubic metres (bcm), the highest since 2007. Nigeria recorded a sharp 12 per cent rise in flaring, the second-largest increase globally. This situation raises urgent concerns over environmental pollution and climate change.
What Is Gas Flaring?
Gas flaring is the burning of natural gas released during oil extraction. It is often used to dispose of excess gas that cannot be captured or sold. Flaring releases carbon dioxide and methane, contributing to global warming. Methane is especially harmful as it traps heat more effectively than carbon dioxide.
Global Emission Trends in 2024
The total emissions from gas flaring rose by 9 MtCO₂e compared to 2023. This increase is equivalent to adding two million new petrol-fuelled cars on the roads. The global flare volume rose by 3 bcm to 151 bcm. This volume nearly matches the entire annual gas consumption of Africa, which is 162 bcm.
Major Gas Flaring Nations
Nine countries account for 76 per cent of global flaring. These are Russia, Iran, Iraq, the United States, Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Mexico, and Nigeria. Between 2012 and 2024, their share rose from 65 per cent to 76 per cent. Iran, Nigeria, the United States, Iraq, and Russia showed the largest increases in flare volumes in 2024. Together, these five countries added 4.6 bcm of flared gas.
Nigeria’s Rising Flaring Challenge
Nigeria’s flaring increased by 12 per cent in 2024, the second highest rise worldwide. Oil production grew only by 3 per cent, but flaring intensity rose by 8 per cent. Most flaring occurs at facilities run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and smaller firms. These operators often lack the expertise or funds to capture and use the gas. Nigerian flaring accounts for 60 per cent of the country’s total and 75 per cent of the increase in 2024.
Global Initiatives to Reduce Flaring
The Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) Initiative aims to end routine flaring worldwide by the end of this decade. Launched by the World Bank and the United Nations in 2015, it has seen progress in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan. Algeria and Libya have reduced flaring recently, with Libya cutting flaring by 8 per cent in 2024 after a 25 per cent rise in 2023. Political instability led to oil field shutdowns in Libya, contributing to this reduction.
Urgent Need for Action
Despite some progress, the global rise in flaring marks the need for stronger measures. Governments and operators must accelerate efforts to eliminate routine flaring and reduce methane emissions. Achieving the ZRF goal requires nearly a 40 per cent cut in routine flaring every year until 2030. The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker remains a key tool to monitor progress and encourage accountability.
Questions for UPSC:
- Taking example of the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative, discuss the role of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.
- Examine the impact of methane emissions on climate change and analyse the measures to reduce methane from the oil and gas sector.
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges faced by developing countries like Nigeria in balancing energy production and environmental sustainability.
- Critically discuss the effectiveness of global environmental agreements in reducing pollution, and how political instability can affect environmental policies.
