United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaking to reporters during a press briefing on March 5, 2024. Photo: US Department of State/Screenshot
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Tuesday told Rudaw that Washington is working with Baghdad to help minimize flaring in oil and gas facilities.
Kerry labeled Iraq as “one of the largest methane releasers” in the Middle East, on account of the amount of gas it flares and vents.
Iraq is one of the world’s most vulnerable nations to the effects of climate change. It also has one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, yet it is dependent on energy imports. Moreover, Iraq is second only to Russia in terms of gas flaring, a process that significantly contributes to global climate change.
“We’ve been working with Iraq very, very directly to try to help reduce the number of flaring and venting projects that are taking place. There’s a lot of work yet to be done there,” Kerry told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda in a presser.
While delivering a speech at the al-Rafidain Forum for Dialogue in Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said that the country seeks to completely end gas flaring within three to five years.
In August, Sudani opened the isomerization unit at Baiji refinery, which works on enhancing the value of oil products by changing their molecular shape and raising the octane rating.
Kerry labeled Iraq as “one of the largest methane releasers” in the Middle East, on account of the amount of gas it flares and vents.
Iraq is one of the world’s most vulnerable nations to the effects of climate change. It also has one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, yet it is dependent on energy imports. Moreover, Iraq is second only to Russia in terms of gas flaring, a process that significantly contributes to global climate change.
“We’ve been working with Iraq very, very directly to try to help reduce the number of flaring and venting projects that are taking place. There’s a lot of work yet to be done there,” Kerry told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda in a presser.
While delivering a speech at the al-Rafidain Forum for Dialogue in Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said that the country seeks to completely end gas flaring within three to five years.
In August, Sudani opened the isomerization unit at Baiji refinery, which works on enhancing the value of oil products by changing their molecular shape and raising the octane rating.
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