On January 15 the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership hosted a technical webinar to showcase significant advancements in monitoring global emissions from gas flaring. The session brought together over 160 participants from 40 countries, representing 70 organizations—including government ministries and regulators, academia, civil society, private sector, and multilateral development banks.
🎥 Watch the Recap
- Presentation Slide Deck (PDF)
- Recording Part 1: Technical Session
- Recording Part 2: Panel Discussion
Overview:
During oil production, associated natural gas, composed mainly of methane, is often treated as waste, and flared (burned) or vented directly into the atmosphere. To help track progress towards the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative, our Global Gas Flaring Tracker, provides annual estimates of global flaring using satellite-based data.
Following recent improvements in the underlying data and its interpretation, the Colorado School of Mines and GFMR have collaborated to enhance our flare location and volume estimates. Future Global Gas Flaring Trackers will utilize this new and improved methodology. The webinar explains the latest updates and features a panel discussion on the importance of satellite data and data improvements for action. Associated gas from flaring reductions can enhance energy access and boost energy security, while lowering emissions. Improved data can help companies and governments better understand and address routine flaring.
Featured Speakers
Opening Remarks
- Mr. Zubin Bamji | GFMR Manager, Energy Global Department, World Bank
Mr. Bamji manages the World Bank’s Global Flaring & Methane Reduction (GFMR) Trust Fund. He leads a team focused on ending routine gas flaring and reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations. GFMR provides grant funding and technical assistance, including developing policies and regulations, strengthening institutional capacity, and mobilizing financing. Prior to the World Bank, Mr. Bamji was a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Commerce, working on regulatory policy. He has also served as a Director for the Security Industry Association and NPR. Mr. Bamji began his career at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and holds degrees in economics, management, and journalism. - Dr. Christopher Elvidge | Director of Earth Observation Group, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Elvidge received Ph.D. in Applied Earth Sciences from Stanford University in 1985. His global monitoring of natural gas flaring from space began in 1995, utilizing low-light imagery from the DMSP. In 2012, Mr. Elvidge developed the concept for the VIIRS Nightfire algorithm (VNF). Today, VNF data are widely used worldwide for cataloging and analyzing natural gas flares and other industrial heat sources.
Presenter:
- Dr. Mikhail Zhizhin | Research Associate, Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Zhizhin holds M.Sci. and Ph.D. degrees in game theory and AI in geophysics. He is the developer of the VIIRS Nightfire method, an algorithm for sub-pixel detection and radiometric characterization of high-temperature infrared emitters (such as gas flares) using multispectral satellite data. The resulting 13-year global record supports quantitative analysis and assessment of associated carbon dioxide and methane emissions from oil and gas flaring.
Panel Discussion:
Moderator:
- Dr. Alexandrina Platonova-Oquab | GFMR Senior Energy Specialist, Energy Global department, World Bank
Dr. Platonova-Oquab is a Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank’s GFMR Partnership, where she leads technical work supporting countries and companies in accelerating gas flaring and methane emission reductions. She advises mitigation programs and leads analytical work addressing technical, regulatory, policy, and financial barriers. Before joining GFMR, Dr. Platonova-Oquab worked with the World Bank’s Climate Change Group, focusing on Paris Alignment, climate finance, and policy instruments. Prior to the World Bank, she worked for the International Energy Agency and the Russian Ministry of Energy. She holds a Ph.D. in Energy Economics from the French Petroleum Institute.
Panelists from Industry and Partner Organizations:
- Dr. Erick Emanuel Luna Rojero | Head of Research Department, Mexican Petroleum Institute
Dr. Luna Rojero is a recognized national leader in enhanced oil recovery and reservoir engineering. With over 25 years at the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP), he has held roles including Reservoir Engineering Manager and Production Research Manager, and currently serves as Research Director. Dr. Luna Rojero holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UNAM. His work includes patented models (SIMUBAC, SimuWell) for EOR processes and over 40 publications in high-impact journals. He is a valued professor and an active member of SPE, EAGE, and InterPore. - Ms. Meghan Demeter | MARS Program Manager, International Methane Emissions Observatory, UNEP
Ms. Demeter is the MARS Program Manager for the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She drives the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), a data-to-action satellite program that identifies and facilitates the mitigation of major global methane plumes. Ms. Demeter is an expert in climate mitigation strategies and the use of cutting-edge satellite technology to enhance environmental monitoring and accountability. Her focus is turning high-quality data into effective climate action across sectors. - Dr. Christophe McGlad | Senior Counselor & Head of Energy Supply, International Energy Agency Dr. McGlade is a Senior Counselor and the Head of Energy Supply at the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). He joined the IEA in 2015 and leads the supply analysis within the flagship World Energy Outlook series. Dr. McGlade is the IEA's lead expert on methane and lead author for several special reports, including The Oil and Gas Industry in Net Zero Transitions. He holds a Ph.D. in energy and resources from University College London and degrees in Theoretical and Experimental Physics from the University of Cambridge.