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According to the World Bank, the amount of gas flaring worldwide in 2023 rose by nine billion cubic meters (bcm) to I48bcm, the highest level since 2019,
The increase resulted in an additional 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, an amount similar to adding about five million cars to the roads.
These findings come from new satellite data compiled by the World Banks Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership.
The World Banks annual Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report is a tool for monitoring and understanding the state of flaring worldwide and the progress made towards achieving zero routine flaring by 2030.
Demetrios Papathanasiou, World Bank Global Director for the Energy and Extractives Global Practice, comments: "Millions of people still lack access to basic energy and greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow, while huge volumes of gas continue to be wastefully flared every year."
Gas flaring trends in Africa
Papathanasiou adds: "Capturing and using this wasted gas could displace dirtier energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate enough power to double the amount of electricity provided in sub-Saharan Africa."
Noting the vital need to preserve much-needed energy and reduce emissions in Africa, the World Bank report focused on two African countries that present unique data on gas flaring.
In Libya, gas flaring reportedly increased by 25% in 2023, while oil production increased by 16%, resulting in an 8% increase in flaring intensity from 14.0m 3/bbl in 2022 to 15.2m 3/bbl.
Given that the flaring increases are associated with an increase in oil production, this suggests that there has been a lack of corresponding investment in gas infrastructure and utilisation. |
