Russia, Iran lead surge in gas flaring, dimming global hopes to end the practice

In 2025, gas flaring reached a six-year high, largely due to significant increases in Russia and Iran, throwing global efforts to eliminate this wasteful practice by the end of the decade into doubt. The World Bank data shows this surge, which highlights the environmental and economic costs of burning associated petroleum gas. This development underscores the urgent need for alternative strategies to manage natural gas production, as the routine flaring not only wastes a valuable resource but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.