The prolonged conflict in Gaza has exacerbated the global climate catastrophe by leaving a severe environmental scar in addition to a staggering human toll. According to recent research, the carbon footprint of the Gaza War was almost 31 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) in the first 15 months, more than Estonia’s and Costa Rica’s total 2023 emissions. This number, which takes into consideration Gaza’s devastation, clearing, and reconstruction, emphasizes the conflict’s enormous ecological cost, which is mainly caused by military actions and rehabilitation projects. As the Gulf region struggles with growing climate vulnerabilities like extreme heat, drought, and desertification, the war’s environmental impact—exacerbated by the absence of mandatory military emissions reporting to the UN—demands immediate attention in light of the more than 53,000 Palestinian deaths and extensive infrastructure destruction.

The Asymmetry of Conflict Emissions

The study highlights a glaring disparity in the carbon emissions produced by the warring sides. Over 99 percent of the 1.89 million tCO₂e released between the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught and the interim ceasefire in January 2025 is attributable to Israel’s war activities, which include aerial bombardments, ground invasions, and the employment of tanks and weaponry. On the other hand, only 3,000 tCO₂e, or 0.2% of the total direct war emissions, came from Hamas’s missiles and bunker fuel. With allies like the US and UK providing strong backing for Israel’s actions, this discrepancy illustrates the stark contrast in military prowess. Interestingly, the United States provided Israel with 50,000 tonnes of armaments by cargo planes and ships, accounting for approximately 30% of the emissions, and Israeli aircraft missions, tanks, and bomb manufacturing and detonation accounted for 20%.

The carbon footprint of the Gaza War goes beyond direct military operations. With a quarter of its electricity coming from solar panels, Gaza was once a forerunner in solar energy. However, most of its renewable infrastructure, including its only power plant, has been destroyed. Nowadays, the region depends on diesel generators, which have released more than 130,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases, or 7% of all the emissions from the conflict. The environmental burden of humanitarian efforts under siege conditions is further highlighted by the fact that 40% of the emissions have come from the 70,000 aid trucks that Israel has let into Gaza, even though they are insufficient for the 2.2 million displaced and famished Palestinians.

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The Staggering Cost of Reconstruction

The reconstruction of Gaza, which Israel’s shelling has reduced to 60 million tonnes of poisonous debris, is where the war’s most significant climate impact is felt. According to the analysis, removing this rubble and reconstructing 436,000 apartments, 700 schools, mosques, clinics, government buildings, and 5 km of roads will produce 29.4 million tCO₂e, equivalent to Afghanistan’s total emissions for 2023. Even if this number was reduced from previous projections because of new information about flat sizes, it still constitutes a significant environmental cost. In addition to releasing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, clearing and rebuilding the area will prolong the environmental deterioration in a region already under stress from violence and climate change.

The conflict’s wider geographical effects increase the carbon cost even further. Israeli bombs accounted for more than 90% of the 3,747 tCO₂e from military exchanges in Lebanon between October 2023 and January 2025, with the repair of 3,600 demolished homes in southern Lebanon approaching St. Lucia’s yearly emissions. After firing 400 missiles into Israel, the Houthis in Yemen released 55 tCO₂e, whereas Israel’s retaliation resulted in emissions that were almost 50 times more. Additionally, shipping emissions rose by 63% as a result of the Houthis’ sophisticated and other measures, such as their blockade of the Red Sea corridor. Over 5.0 tCO₂e was added by exchanges between Israel and Iran, with Israel accounting for 80% of the emissions. Due to inadequate data on problems like soil deterioration, fires, and deserts, these numbers—based on the scope 3+ framework—probably understate the actual environmental cost.

A Global Climate Emergency Amplified

The Gulf region, which is among the most vulnerable to climate change, already faces a severe climate condition made worse by the war’s carbon impact. The environmental effects of the battle exacerbate the region’s harsh weather, drought, desertification, and food and water insecurity. With long-term repercussions for the 2.2 million Palestinians, the devastation of Gaza’s ecosystems, water infrastructure, and agricultural land has rendered the region all but uninhabitable. As extreme weather events worsen, the conflicts’ emissions—equal to the annual emissions of 2.6 billion cellphones or 84 gas power plants—contribute to the chaos of the global climate and cause unprecedented migration.

The problem is made worse by the absence of accountability for military emissions. Even though military emissions have a tremendous worldwide impact, reporting them is voluntary and restricted to fuel usage under current UN regulations. In 2024, Israel’s military spending increased to $46.5 billion, resulting in baseline emissions of 6.5 million tCO₂e, greater than Eritrea’s whole carbon footprint, excluding conflict. However, like most militaries, the IDF has never informed the UN of its emissions. This is a “black hole in accountability,” according to Hadeel Ikhmais of the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, who claims that wars accelerate environmental disasters by releasing harmful chemicals, polluting the air, water, and land, and impeding climate adaptation.

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The Way Ahead: Responsibility and Initiative

The study’s conclusions, which are still undergoing peer review, recommend immediate action to address the cost of conflict to the climate. Since these emissions are higher than in many countries, researchers like Frederick Otu-Larbi stress that they must be included in global climate targets. Ben Neimark cautions that by adding to the climate problem that they must deal with, militaries are jeopardizing their ability to conduct operations. UN special rapporteur Astrid Puentes highlights the need to halt the crimes and guarantee adherence to international law, pointing out the war’s effects on human rights and climate change worldwide.

The international community has to integrate climate factors into conflict resolution and advocate for obligatory reporting of military emissions. Zena Agha calls for a reassessment of the US, UK, and EU’s military-industrial participation, pointing out how they have enabled Israel’s conduct. The carbon footprint of the Gaza War serves as a sobering reminder that environmental sustainability and war are intricately linked, necessitating a coordinated strategy for peace and planetary health as the globe struggles with the climate emergency.

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