The Hidden Emissions Crisis: Why Military Activities Must Be Part of the Climate Conversation
COP29’s goals for climate justice and emissions accountability ring hollow without addressing military emissions, which are one of the largest unreported sources of greenhouse gases. ‘Everyday’ military operations globally are estimated to contribute around 5% to 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These everyday emissions, if counted as a nation’s output, would place the military sector among the world’s top polluters - and they do not even account for additional emissions and the destruction of nature during warfighting. Yet they remain largely unaddressed by international climate frameworks, leaving a glaring gap in our collective climate strategy.
The urgency to address this has grown only more evident as the recent environmental devastation in Gaza and Ukraine highlights the massive, unaccounted emissions from military actions. If COP29 is to chart a comprehensive path toward climate justice, it must break the silence around military emissions and the broader consequences of armed conflict on our climate.
In Gaza, Israel’s military actions have destroyed agricultural land, and contaminated natural resources, releasing untold amounts of carbon and toxic pollutants into the air, soil, and water. Researchers concluded 281,000 tonnes of planet-warming gases were released in the first 60 days of the war alone. Reports estimate Russia’s war in Ukraine has produced at least 175 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the first 2 years alone. These recent man-made catastrophic emissions, compounded by the loss of forests and contaminated land, have set back the environmental movement by decades.
Beyond greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental toll includes soil contamination, loss of biodiversity, and irreversible damage to ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, exacerbating climate change. Military operations around the world have wreaked havoc on ecosystems and biodiversity, with profound human consequences. In Syria, bombings and the destruction of infrastructure have contaminated land and poisoned water sources, devastating local wildlife and displacing vulnerable communities. In Afghanistan, US military activities, including toxic waste disposal and open-air burn pits, have poisoned the soil and groundwater, making the land, water, and food sources unsafe. The contamination has led to widespread health issues as people consume tainted water and food and breathe in toxic air, suffering from kidney, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, and skin ailments, as well as congenital defects and cancers. In Vietnam, Agent Orange not only caused damage to ecosystems but also left communities dependent on the land grappling with health problems, long-term soil toxicity and loss of livelihoods.
By excluding military operations from climate accountability, global frameworks ignore these cascading effects on ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. A truly just approach to climate action must include the restoration of these degraded ecosystems and integrate nature-based solutions as part of post-conflict recovery efforts.
This absence of military accountability is a climate justice issue, as communities are left vulnerable to both environmental degradation and displacement in conflict zones. A comprehensive approach to emissions transparency, where no sector is exempt, including military activities is imperative. This includes bringing transparency to military emissions, particularly from high-emitting nations, and advocating for the redirection of military budgets toward sustainable development, climate resilience, and peacebuilding efforts.
As organizations like the Women and Gender Constituency and the UNDP advocate, COP29 has the potential to be more than another cycle of diplomatic rhetoric. They’ve called for it to be a “Truce COP,” a pivotal moment where peace, demilitarization, and climate resilience align. Imagine the impact if even a fraction of the trillions spent on global military budgets were redirected toward climate adaptation, sustainable development, and the communities on the frontlines of climate impact. This would not only build resilience but also foster global stability and reduce the likelihood of future conflicts driven by environmental degradation. True accountability means addressing all sources of emissions, from multinational corporations to military activities, and prioritizing the well-being of the most vulnerable. For the world’s leaders convening in Baku, this is a chance to embrace a holistic approach that recognises the intersection of peace and environmental justice as foundational to a climate-resilient future.