Military Activity Significantly Impacts Global Emissions, Data Gaps Hinder Climate Action
Military operations worldwide are emerging as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with experts highlighting the lack of comprehensive data as a major obstacle to effective climate policy. As international conflicts and defense spending intensify, the environmental footprint of military activity is drawing increased scrutiny at global climate forums.
Recent discussions at the international climate conference in Brazil have underscored the fact that emissions from military sectors are currently not subject to mandatory reporting requirements under United Nations frameworks. This exemption leaves a noticeable gap in the global effort to track and reduce carbon outputs. Analysts argue that without transparent and standardized reporting, the true scale of military-related emissions remains largely unaddressed in climate strategies.
Estimates suggest that military operations account for approximately 5.5 percent of global annual greenhouse gas emissions. If the collective emissions of defense sectors worldwide were attributed to a single nation, it would rank as the fourth-largest emitter globally. The environmental impact is not limited to direct operations; the destruction and subsequent reconstruction associated with armed conflicts, such as those in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, further amplify emissions through the release of carbon dioxide during demolition, clearing, and rebuilding activities.
For example, research indicates that the emissions resulting from the devastation and anticipated reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip could reach up to 31 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This figure surpasses the annual emissions of more than 135 individual countries. In another context, three years of military conflict in Ukraine have been estimated to generate emissions equivalent to those produced by 120 million gasoline-powered vehicles over a single year.
Experts emphasize that the environmental consequences of warfare compound the humanitarian crises experienced by affected populations. The lingering effects of military infrastructure, such as tanks and fighter jets, often lock in high levels of emissions for decades due to their prolonged operational lifespans. For instance, modern fighter aircraft, including advanced models like the F-35, are typically in service for around 40 years, embedding their carbon output into future emission scenarios.
Meanwhile, global military spending continues to escalate. Data from leading peace research institutions reveal that worldwide defense expenditures reached an unprecedented 2.7 trillion US dollars in 2024. Projections suggest this figure could climb as high as 5.2 trillion US dollars by 2030. Such increases in military investment are expected to further entrench carbon-intensive practices within the sector.
Calls are growing for the introduction of binding international reporting standards for military emissions. Advocates argue that integrating this data into official climate inventories is essential for an accurate assessment of progress toward climate targets. Without full transparency, efforts to mitigate global warming risk being undermined by unaccounted-for emissions from military sources.
As governments and international organizations seek pathways to limit global temperature rise, addressing the environmental impact of defense activities is becoming an unavoidable aspect of comprehensive climate action. Closing the data gap on military emissions is now seen as a crucial step toward achieving meaningful progress in the fight against climate change.