Flaring is a common sight at oil fields across Iraq and Iran. Image by BBC
Millions of people in the Middle East are at risk due to deadly gas.
Gas flaring is putting millions more people at risk than first thought, according to a investigation.
The United Arab Emirates, which is hosting COP28, is one of several Gulf countries that flares, or burns, leftover gas from oil operations.
The air quality in the entire region is deteriorating, according to new studies, because pollution is travelling hundreds of kilometers.
Thursday marks the start of the United Nations Climate Summit COP28, which the UAE is hosting.
Despite the possible health repercussions for its citizens and those in adjacent nations, routine flaring is still being practiced, as shown by satellite photographs, even though the UAE banned it 20 years ago.
According to BBC Arabic’s analysis, gases are currently dispersing across the area, spanning hundreds of km.
As an additional component, the study examined well pollution in Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait. There was no statement or response from any of the participating nations.
The oil firms in charge of the sites where flaring occurred, such as BP and Shell, have stated their intention to decrease the practice.
Leaked documents highlighted the UAE’s plans to leverage its role as host of the UN climate talks to strike oil and gas deals, according to report on the matter.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David R. Boyd, expressed his deep concern at the findings reported, calling them “very disturbing.”
By doing little to stop the pollution caused by fossil fuels, major oil firms and Middle Eastern regimes are infringing against the human rights of millions of people.
“Despite the massive human suffering, Big Oil and petrostates carry on with business as usual with total impunity and zero accountability.”
The pervasive threat of concealed toxic air pollution from major oil corporations is extending over hundreds of kilometers, posing a significant health risk to millions of individuals in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Iran, and Iraq.
The unseen and potentially hazardous nature of this air pollution raises concerns about the immediate and long-term well-being of the affected populations in these regions.
Even though flaring may be prevented and the gas can be collected and utilized to power houses or create energy, it is still happening all across the globe.
Global authorities, notably the World Health Organization (WHO), have connected high levels of pollutants such as benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), ozone, NO2, and particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) to cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, and strokes.
The CO2 and methane greenhouse gases, which contribute significantly to global warming, are also released by the world’s flares.
Adnoc, the national oil firm of the United Arab Emirates, made a commitment to halt “routine flaring” twenty years ago; Sultan al-Jaber is the president of this year’s COP28 climate summit.
However, according to the analysis of satellite pictures, it happens every day at offshore installations. When it comes to oil, the United Arab Emirates is a major player for the British market.