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

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Global gas flaring reached a six-year high in 2025 driven by increases in Russia and Iran, wasting an estimated $54 billion worth of gas and hindering efforts to end the practice by decade’s end, according to World Bank data.

By Isaac Anyaogu LAGOS, June 23 (Reuters) - Global gas flaring rose to a six-year high in 2025, driven by increases in Russia and Iran, according to World Bankdata, hindering efforts to end by the end of this decade the routine burning of gas produced alongside oil. Flaring climbed for a third consecutive year to 167 billion cubic metres, wasting an estimated $54 billion worth of gas and outpacing growth in global oil production, according to the World Bank's Global Gas Flaring Tracker.