The fossil fuel industry released an additional 389 MtCO2eq into the atmosphere in 2024 by unnecessarily flaring gas, according to a new report from the World Bank. The report found that 151 bcm of gas were flared during oil and gas production in 2024, an increase of 3 bcm compared to 2023. Global gas flaring rose for the second consecutive year, reaching its highest level since 2007.
Despite international efforts to curb the practice, gas flaring intensity has remained persistently high over the past 15 years. In 2024, just nine countries—Russia, Iran, Iraq, the United States, Venezuela, Algeria, Libya, Mexico, and Nigeria—were responsible for 76% of all flared gas (up from 65% in 2012). Russia (28.9 bcm), Iran (22.8 bcm), and Iraq (18.2 bcm) recorded the highest volumes.
However, some producers, including Angola, Egypt, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, have made significant reductions in flaring. Kazakhstan, for example, which has imposed steep fines on violators, has cut flaring by 71% since 2012. However, in many parts of the world, regulations to limit routine flaring remain weak or poorly enforced. Companies often lack incentives to stop the practice, as they are typically not required to pay for the environmental damage it causes.