In the wake of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, emissions in Gaza are alarming. Greenhouse gas emissions were calculated during the first 120 days of the conflict. They exceeded the annual emissions of 26 individual countries. Intense military activity occurred in the period studied: bombings, reconnaissance flights and rocket attacks.
The emissions associated with the reconstruction of Gaza are expected to be higher than the annual emissions of more than 135 countries. It is comparable to burning 31,000 kilotons of coal. Enough to power about 15.8 coal-fired power plants for a year.
Financial impact
The research estimates carbon emissions from the conflict between Israel and Gaza over three different periods. First, the preparatory construction activities before the conflict. Then, the emissions from the first 120 days of active war. Finally, projected emissions from future reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The study is carried out after devastating human and financial losses. Since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, more than 35,000 Palestinians and 1,139 Israelis have died. Between 54 and 66% of Gaza’s buildings (homes, schools, mosques, hospitals) are destroyed or damaged. The financial cost to Israel amounts to $50 billion. The World Bank estimates that damage to physical structures amounts to $18.5 billion.
Humanitarian crises dominate global attention. But the environmental impact of the conflict is significant and deserves attention. Military operations generate 5.5% of global carbon emissions. It is intended to highlight the importance of including wartime emissions in climate calculations.
Humanitarian reasons
The co-author is Dr Benjamin Neimark, Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He highlighted in a statement the importance of this research. «We must comprehensively report on military emissions. The world faces the double crisis of climate change and military conflicts. “It is crucial to understand and mitigate the environmental impact of war.”
It is true that the emissions in Gaza are alarming. But, “it is not the most important reason why the world community calls for a ceasefire. Every life that is still at risk is important. But this research demonstrates some of the long-term social and environmental impacts of war. “The armed conflict brings us closer to the precipice of catastrophic warming.”
