Abstract

Gas flaring has been a global concern in spite of various strategies to combat it, and despite the provisions of the Paris Agreement which highlights both market and non-market instruments targeted at emission reduction, energy efficiency and sustainability. The need for low carbon economies to promote energy efficiency and decarbonization with stringent measures, is advocated. The study adopts a comparative approach in examining the international legal regime on gas flaring and the market-based instruments (MBIs) under the Paris Agreement, to ensure reduction of gas flaring. The study also utilised the doctrinal legal research method and inter alia finds that there has been laxity in the implementation of the anti- gas flaring legislations due to persistent flaring and weak regulatory policies. Integrating MBIs, particularly tradable permits, is therefore recommended as an environmentally viable legal commodity to discourage and diminish gas flaring in countries such as Nigeria.

This paper will be part of the OGEL Special Issue on "Law and Policy for Gas Flaring in a Low-carbon Economy". More information here www.ogel.org/news.asp?key=660