Agency A new World Bank report has shown that the amount of gas flared worldwide in 2023 rose by nine billion cubic meters to 148 bcm, its highest level since 2019. This was contained in a statement by the World Bank, on its new satellite data on Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership, a copy of which was obtained in Abuja on Friday. The report indicated that 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.
The statement quoted the World Bank’s Global Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, Demetrios Papathanasiou, as saying: “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. “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.” The statement further quoted the World Bank GFMR Manager, Zubin Bamji, as saying, “The increase in gas flaring is particularly disheartening as it comes after a long-overdue reduction in 2022.
“This sets global gas flaring levels back to what we experienced in 2019. We’re hopeful that this is somewhat of an anomaly and the longer-term trend will be dramatic reductions.” The report showed that gas flaring released harmful pollutants, inclu.