“Gas flaring in Gulf poses health risk, widespread pollution revealed.”
A recent investigation by the BBC indicates that toxic pollutants released during gas flaring pose a greater risk to millions of people than previously understood. Gas flaring, which involves burning waste gas during oil drilling, is occurring extensively in the Gulf region, including within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the upcoming COP28 climate summit will be hosted.
Newly uncovered research suggests that the pollution resulting from gas flaring spreads across vast distances, significantly deteriorating air quality throughout the entire area. Despite the UAE’s prohibition of routine flaring two decades ago, satellite imagery reveals that this practice continues, posing potential health hazards to inhabitants within the country and neighboring nations.
BBC Arabic analysis reveals that gases from these flaring sites are dispersing hundreds of kilometers, affecting regions in Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait. Notably, these countries either refrained from commenting or did not respond to inquiries regarding the issue.
Oil companies, including BP and Shell, managing these sites where flaring occurs, stated their commitment to minimizing this practice. However, leaked documents disclosed by BBC News indicated the UAE’s intentions to utilize its role in the UN climate talks to pursue oil and gas deals.
David R. Boyd, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, expressed deep concern over the findings, denouncing big oil companies and Middle Eastern states for neglecting their responsibility in addressing air pollution from fossil fuels. He emphasized the grave human suffering caused by their actions, remarking on the lack of accountability and impunity in their continued pursuit of business as usual despite these dire consequences.
