Measuring the impact of conflict on the climate

AI Summary

The article estimates substantial greenhouse gas emissions from recent armed conflicts, including the wars in Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza. It says emissions reporting is not currently required under international climate agreements and notes that national security concerns have impeded disclosure.

Greenhouse gases resulting from armed conflicts are a serious problem. Recent wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran have highlighted the immense potential costs of armed conflict to the climate and overall ecological health of people and Earth. The first 14 days of the Iran war alone produced more than the total climate pollution of Iceland in 2024—roughly five million tonnes of carbon dioxide.1 Five years of war in Ukraine has released almost 311 million tonnes of carbon dioxide—the equivalent of annual emissions in France.2 In Gaza, carbon emissions during the first 15 months of the conflict were more than 30 million tonnes—equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by 33 million acres of forests in a year.3Although these estimates provide a window into the climate damage of war, still no international climate agreement requirements exist for governments to report these emissions. Citing national security concerns, the US Congress lobbied and...