ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/SDPD/2019/TP.9
Publication Type: Information material
Publication Subject: Sustainable Development
Cluster: 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination
Focus Area: Natural resource sustainability
SDGs: Agenda 2030
Keywords: Arab countries, Climate change, Hydrocarbons, Natural gas, Sustainable development, Sustainable energy
Reducing Gas Flaring in Arab Countries: A Sustainable Development Necessity
January 2020
The study highlights the Arab region’s high reliance on fossil fuels, making it the second fastest growing regional source of greenhouse gas emissions. This is increasingly worrying for Arab countries, which are facing significant risks from climate change. There is therefore a need to reiterate calls for a rethink of energy supply and demand patterns in the Arab region. Focusing on the supply side of the region’s energy vulnerability, it is clear, that Arab countries, especially hydrocarbon producing countries, will continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels. However, they will need to consistently improve the way they use these natural resources to minimize their impact on their environment. The reduction and eventual elimination of gas flaring in Arab countries is one of many measures to address the region’s energy vulnerability.
The present paper reviews the gas flaring situation in Arab countries and identifies its challenges. The paper also makes recommendations on key aspects to reduce associated gas flaring in the region and proposes opportunities to monetize the associated gas that would have otherwise been flared. It also outlines linkages between associated gas flaring and the SDGs.
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Natural resource sustainability
The study highlights the Arab region’s high reliance on fossil fuels, making it the second fastest growing regional source of greenhouse gas emissions. This is increasingly worrying for Arab countries, which are facing significant risks from climate change. There is therefore a need to reiterate calls for a rethink of energy supply and demand patterns in the Arab region. Focusing on the supply side of the region’s energy vulnerability, it is clear, that Arab countries, especially hydrocarbon producing countries, will continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels. However, they will need to consistently improve the way they use these natural resources to minimize their impact on their environment. The reduction and eventual elimination of gas flaring in Arab countries is one of many measures to address the region’s energy vulnerability.
The present paper reviews the gas flaring situation in Arab countries and identifies its challenges. The paper also makes recommendations on key aspects to reduce associated gas flaring in the region and proposes opportunities to monetize the associated gas that would have otherwise been flared. It also outlines linkages between associated gas flaring and the SDGs.
