War emissions on table as COP29 kicks off

News: The Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in West Asia have contributed to the climate change problem by adding significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Historically, the issue of war emission has been overlooked in climate change conversations, but it is likely to find some resonance at COP29.

1. War Emissions refers to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by military activities during the war.

2. It includes direct emissions resulting from combat operations, use of military vehicles, weapons, aerospace technologies, destruction of infrastructure and industrial sites.

3. Additionally, war emissions also include long-term environmental damage caused by ecosystems destruction, soil contamination, oil spills, which exacerbate climate change.

4. Estimates suggest that Russia-Ukraine war has contributed over 175 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent of emissions, while West Asian conflict has added at least 50 million tonnes. When added, these emissions are comparable to annual emissions from Ukraine, Italy or Poland.

5. Some solutions to the issue of war emissions are greening military operations, post-conflict environmental rehabilitation, climate friendly defence strategies.