This is the first of two papers delivered to UNU WIDER to address the global issue of global oil theft. This paper evaluates the impact of oil theft and describes why the international community should take a stronger stance against oil theft.

Generating swift action on climate change in 2022 faces great challenges, yet one initiative—methane reduction in the energy sector—provides an unusual and attractive opportunity. It combines significant contributions to the global public good of emissions reduction with significant benefits to the local public good in many developing countries. Moreover, action to realize these benefits can be taken quickly. 

Cutting methane emissions by reducing wasteful flaring of natural gas stands out as an immediate political opportunity and a straightforward means to reduce atmospheric emissions. Tackling methane is especially significant since doing so meets other development priorities, such as generating government revenue (by taxing methane emissions), improving health (by reducing air pollution), and helping deliver greater energy access (by using rather than wasting the gas).