Optimising policies and regulations for zero routine gas flaring and net zero

Abstract

Abstract Global policy actions to reduce the environmental and social impacts of gas-flaring are primarily derived from voluntary arrangements. This paper evaluates stakeholder preferences for different policies and regulatory options, determining the most optimised and effective to help eliminate routine gas-flaring by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 whilst addressing good governance, justice, and fair implementation. Its mixed methods incorporate literature and document review, interviews, expert surveys, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (G-TOPSIS), deriving two competing perspectives on gas flaring policy strategy, with differences revealed through the AHP ranking process of individual criteria. All criteria and sub-criteria identified were integral to achieving the flaring and emissions targets, with “policy and targets” and “enabling framework” the most important individual criteria. The “background and the role of reductions in meeting environmental and economic objectives” and “nonmonetary penalties” were the most crucial sub-criteria. G-TOPSIS showed that fully implementing gas-flaring policies and regulatory framework criteria to limit warming to 1.5°C is the most effective policy alternative. Globally coordinated, uniform and reciprocal legally binding agreements between countries to supplement national initiatives are imperative to improve the effectiveness of country-specific gas flaring policy strategies.