Global gas flaring hits six-year high in 2025

Global gas flaring rose for a third consecutive year in 2025, reaching a six-year high of 167 billion cubic meters, according to new data from the World Bank. The wasteful practice, which involves burning off natural gas produced alongside oil, wasted an estimated $54 billion worth of energy and released more than 500 million tons of greenhouse gases, an amount exceeding the United Kingdom's annual emissions.

The increase, which outpaced global oil production growth, was largely driven by Russia and Iran. Together with Iraq, these three countries accounted for roughly half of all gas flared worldwide last year. Nine nations-Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, and the United States-were responsible for more than 80 percent of global flaring while producing nearly half of the world's oil.

The findings underscore the slow progress toward the international goal of ending routine flaring by 2030. A World Bank official said that at a time when many countries are struggling with energy access, the economic costs of continued flaring are too high. The gas currently burned off could instead power industries, create jobs, and strengthen energy security.