Authors :
Saifaddeen Sallam; Ali Taher Abdollah
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/yrv3zpw6
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/57vuysx9
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25mar961
Google Scholar
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Abstract :
Natural gas flaring in Libya has significant environmental and health consequences. Libya, as one of the top
global contributors to gas flaring, emits large quantities of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to climate change and air pollution. The environmental impact extends
to soil and water contamination, harming ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, exposure to pollutants from flaring
has been linked to respiratory diseases, cancer, and other serious health conditions in local communities. In eastern Libyan
towns, residents have reported increasing cases of eye inflammation, asthma, and cancer due to long-term exposure to
toxic emissions. In response, the Libyan National Oil Company (LNOC) has pledged to reduce gas flaring by 83% by 2030
as part of global efforts to control emissions. This paper explores the environmental and health consequences of gas flaring
in Libya and evaluates the possible mitigation strategies to reduce its effect. It highlights the urgent need for stricter
regulations, cleaner technologies, and international cooperation to reduce emissions and protect public health.
Keywords :
Natural Gas Flaring; Greenhouse Gases; Environmental Impact; Public Health
References :
- African Development Bank (AfDB). (2023). Economic impact of gas flaring in Africa. Retrieved from www.afdb.org
- Agbi (2023) Libyan oil company commits to cutting gas flaring by 83% by 2030. Available at: https://www.agbi.com/oil-and-gas/2023/12/libyan-oil-company-commits-to-cut-gas-flaring/ (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- Financial Times (2022) Methane: the greenhouse gas driving climate change. Available at: https://www.ft.com/ (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2023). Carcinogenic risks of air pollutants. Retrieved from www.iarc.who.int
- International Energy Agency (IEA). (2024). Energy policies of Libya: Challenges and opportunities. Retrieved from www.iea.org
- Libya Observer (2021) WB: Libya among ten top countries to blame for three-quarters of all gas flaring. Available at: https://libyaobserver.ly/news/wb-libya-among-ten-top-countries-blame-three-quarters-all-gas-flaring (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2024). Air pollution and neurological health. Retrieved from www.nih.gov
- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). (2023). Gas utilization and technology gaps in Libya. Retrieved from www.opec.org
- SciRP (2023) Environmental and health impact of gas flaring in oil-producing regions. Available at: https://www.scirp.org/html/15-6201351_20231.htm (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- Statista, 2024. Natural gas flaring in Libya from 2013 to 2022. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1266420/natural-gas-flaring-in-libya/ [Accessed 15 March 2025].
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024. Libya – Country Analysis Brief. Available at: https://www.eia.gov/international/content/analysis/countries_long/Libya/pdf/libya.pdf (Accessed 15 March 2025).
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2024). Libya Energy Report.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). The Environmental Impact of Gas Flaring.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2024). Health effects of air pollution. Retrieved from www.epa.gov
- World Bank (2022) Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) Report 2022. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/gasflaringreduction (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- World Bank, 2024. Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report – June 2024. Available at: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/ (Accessed 15 March 2025).
- World Bank. (2023). Gas flaring reduction initiatives. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org
- World Bank. (2023). Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Air pollution and health effects. Retrieved from www.who.int
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF). (2022). Oil and Gas Development and Wildlife Conservation.
- Xinhua Net (2019) Libyan oil fields’ gas flaring blamed for environmental and health hazards. Available at: https://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/29/c_137784764.htm (Accessed: 15 March 2025).
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2023). Libya’s commitments to emission reduction. Retrieved from www.unfccc.int
Natural gas flaring in Libya has significant environmental and health consequences. Libya, as one of the top
global contributors to gas flaring, emits large quantities of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to climate change and air pollution. The environmental impact extends
to soil and water contamination, harming ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, exposure to pollutants from flaring
has been linked to respiratory diseases, cancer, and other serious health conditions in local communities. In eastern Libyan
towns, residents have reported increasing cases of eye inflammation, asthma, and cancer due to long-term exposure to
toxic emissions. In response, the Libyan National Oil Company (LNOC) has pledged to reduce gas flaring by 83% by 2030
as part of global efforts to control emissions. This paper explores the environmental and health consequences of gas flaring
in Libya and evaluates the possible mitigation strategies to reduce its effect. It highlights the urgent need for stricter
regulations, cleaner technologies, and international cooperation to reduce emissions and protect public health.
Keywords :
Natural Gas Flaring; Greenhouse Gases; Environmental Impact; Public Health