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A recent investigation by the BBC suggests that toxic pollutants released during gas flaring are posing a significantly greater risk to human health than previously believed, with millions of people potentially at risk across the Gulf region. Gas flaring, the process of burning waste gas during oil drilling, is reportedly occurring across the Gulf, including within the United Arab Emirates, the hosts of the upcoming COP28 climate summit.
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New research indicates that the resulting pollution is not confined to localized areas, but is extending across hundreds of miles, adversely impacting air quality throughout the entire region. This troubling revelation has emerged as the United Arab Emirates, where the practice was banned two decades ago, prepares to host the UN's COP28 climate summit. Despite the ban, evidence suggests that gas flaring has continued, raising concerns about the associated health risks for both inhabitants of the UAE and those in neighboring countries.
The investigation also found that pollutants from oil wells in Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait were contributing to the region's air pollution. Notably, when approached for comments, the countries involved either declined to respond or did not provide a statement. Oil companies managing the sites where flaring is occurring, including BP and Shell, indicated that measures are being taken to reduce the practice.
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Moreover, previous revelations from leaked documents unveiled the UAE's plans to leverage its role as the host of the UN climate talks to pursue oil and gas deals, raising significant concerns about the region's commitment to environmental conservation and public health.
Commenting on the findings, UN Special Rapporteur David R. Boyd condemned the violations of human rights resulting from the failure to address air pollution from fossil fuels, emphasizing the grave impact on millions of individuals.
The practice of gas flaring itself is avoidable, as the gas emitted can be captured and utilized for generating electricity or heating homes. However, its persistence remains a significant issue worldwide. The pollutants emanating from gas flaring, such as PM2.5, Ozone, NO2, and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), have been linked to severe health complications including strokes, cancer, asthma, and heart disease, according to international experts including the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Gas flaring is not just a health concern; it also contributes to the release of planet-warming greenhouse gases such as CO2 and methane, thus exacerbating climate change impacts. Additionally, despite previous commitments to end routine flaring, satellite imagery indicates that gas flaring is continuing at offshore sites in the UAE.
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However, assessing air pollution from flares on the ground is challenging due to the lack of official data. To understand the total pollution, environmental scientists collaborated with BBC Arabic to combine information on the volumes of gas flared with simulations based on weather conditions to estimate how gases were dispersing across the region.
It is essential to recognize the urgency of addressing this pressing issue, as the health and well-being of millions of individuals are at stake. By shedding light on the significant health risks associated with gas flaring, this investigation underscores the critical need for sustained efforts to curtail this damaging and avoidable practice and to prioritize the health and safety of communities across the region.
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