Every year, the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict reminds us to consider the often-neglected aspect of environmental toll that military actions take on our ecosystems, climate, and community health. Sadly, the war on Gaza stands as a striking example. The recent heavy bombardments by the Israeli military forces have left severe and lasting mark on the region’s ecosystems, contaminating water, soil, and air. Despite this, even with growing awareness and several side events organized mostly by civil society, official discussions at COP28 have largely missed the crucial issue of emissions from military actions and conflicts.

The Environmental and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Since October 2023, Gaza has faced severe environmental and humanitarian challenges. With over 39 million tons of debris strewn across the land, the environmental fallout is immense. In just the first two months of military operations, the emissions produced were similar to burning 150,000 tons of coal – a staggering figure that underscores the severe environmental impact of such intense military actions. Additionally, US cargo planes supplying military assistance to Israel were responsible for almost half of these emissions, highlighting the significant carbon cost associated with military supply.

The destruction of infrastructure has plunged Gaza into a dire environmental crisis. More than a third of its buildings—including homes, schools, and hospitals—have been reduced to rubble, and untreated sewage is now contaminating both freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Rebuilding efforts for the roughly 100,000 damaged structures may require carbon emissions similar to New Zealand’s entire annual output. These emissions will have lasting implications for climate resilience, public health, and food security, affecting communities far beyond Gaza’s borders.

Reflecting on Climate Rhetoric

While some Western nations often promote climate action on the global stage, a troubling inconsistency emerges. Countries like some of the Western allies push for strong climate policies, yet they exempt military activities from international emissions reporting. Research indicates that military operations contribute around 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing those from entire sectors like aviation and shipping combined. To put this into perspective, the US military emits an estimated 48 million metric tons of CO₂ annually—more than the total emissions of 150 countries combined. Alarmingly, military emissions continue to be left out of UN climate discussions. This phenomenon of “military environmental exceptionalism” not only weakens genuine climate efforts, but it also raises questions about the integrity of Western governments’ commitments. Achieving climate justice entails holding all sectors accountable for their emissions, particularly those linked to defence and warfare.

A call for action towards COP29 and the Importance of the WPS Agenda

As we approach COP29, there lies a critical opportunity for the international community to address military emissions as a pressing climate issue. This discussion should encompass not only emissions from active conflicts but also the environmental harm caused during rebuilding efforts in war-torn regions. Importantly, COP29 should build upon the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, which highlights how women and marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental devastation linked to conflicts and are at the forefront in rebuilding their communities. Women led civil society organizations are crucial for both mitigating and adapting to climate challenges while advocating for accountability in military practices that affect the environment. Without accountability, we risk worsening the global climate crisis. Expanding the network of researchers who track military emissions, engaging with policymakers, and ensuring organizations like the UNFCCC incorporate military data into their frameworks are vital steps toward a holistic climate solution.

The environmental damage caused by war exposes a stark contradiction in global climate policies, which prioritize emissions reduction targets while ignoring the significant damage caused by military operations. For COP29 to be effective, it must directly confront these glaring omissions in emissions reporting, integrate the environmental repercussions of conflict into global climate policy, and adopt an inclusive approach that aligns with the goals of the WPS agenda. On this International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, let us urge nations to pursue true climate justice by holding all sectors accountable, particularly those actions that most directly threaten global environmental security.

References

“Damage to Gaza Causing New Risks to Human Health and Long-Term Recovery.” United Nations Environment Programme, June 18, 2024. UNEP.
“The War in Gaza Is Also an Environmental Catastrophe.” Le Monde, July 8, 2024. Le Monde.
Nina Lakhani “Emissions from Israel’s war in Gaza have ‘immense’ effect on climate catastrophe” January 9, 2024. The Guardian.
Doug Weir, “The climate costs of war and militaries can no longer be ignored” January 9, 2024. The Guardian
“Environmental Impact of the Conflict in Gaza: Preliminary Assessment.” United Nations, June 2024. UN Report.
“Gaza Conflict Has Caused Major Environmental Damage, UN Says.” Reuters, June 18, 2024. Reuters.