If the countries’ militaries came together as one nation, they would occupy the fourth line in the list of emitters (military emissions)with an estimated share of around 5.5 percent of total world emissions (the war itself does not add any pollutants yet).
What Is the Contribution of War?
The first three years of Russia’s war in Ukraine resulted in the causing emissions of approximately 230 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is the first such calculation related to any war. The costs of reconstructive works and all fires are likely to increase this figure.
Why Is It Kept Secret?
The armies are not obliged to report on their military emissions as they were not included in Kyoto Protocol and are exempt from Paris agreement as well, and as a result, very few of them do it. There was not enough information about destroyed infrastructure and fire damages to include it in the calculations.
How Much Does It Cost?
The total military expenditure in the world amounted to $2.7 trillion in 2024, which is 9 percent higher taking into account inflation, and analysts are warning about the growing level of emissions at an alarming pace. The credibility of net zero commitments and rare earth chains for equipment need transparent accounting.
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