Bloomberg Businessweek Why Gas Flares Keep Burning Despite Big Oil’s 2030 Pledges
Oct 7, 2026
Ben Elgin, a Bloomberg investigative reporter covering corporate climate risks, and Will Evans, a senior reporter at The Examination focused on pollution and environmental health, investigate why oil-field gas flares keep burning. They examine corporate pledges, satellite evidence, loopholes in the World Bank’s initiative, and the noise, odors and health fears facing West Texas residents. They also explore weak regulation and enforceable alternatives.
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Flaring Wastes Half Of Europe’s Gas
- Gas flaring creates climate pollution, wastes enormous resources, and harms nearby communities.
- The flames consume gas equivalent to roughly half of Europe’s annual consumption while global flaring trends worsen.
Families Live Just Feet From Flares
- Residents living near flares report toxic fumes, rattling homes, sleepless nights, and persistent health concerns.
- Communities face these impacts from West Texas to the Niger Delta and Patagonia, sometimes with homes only 500 feet away.
A New Flare Upends A Texas Neighborhood
- A new flare appeared 500 feet from a South Ranchito neighborhood where families had lived for more than 50 years.
- Residents reported lost home value, disrupted sleep, a nearby fire, and fears for their children and grandchildren.