Some Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas Flaring in Libya and Potential Solutions

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.