5m tonnes of CO2 emitted in just 14 days of US war on Iran, analysis finds

An analysis reveals that the first 14 days of the US-Israel war on Iran have resulted in approximately 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, surpassing the combined emissions of 84 countries. The conflict, marked by extensive airstrikes, missile attacks, and drone operations, has devastated civilian infrastructure and military assets across Iran, Lebanon, and surrounding regions. The environmental toll adds a significant dimension to the human and geopolitical costs of the war, highlighting its impact on the global climate crisis. The largest source of emissions stems from the destruction of around 20,000 civilian buildings, which alone accounts for an estimated 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Military operations have also consumed vast quantities of fuel, with US bombers flying long distances and releasing between 529,000 tonnes of CO2. Strikes on fuel storage facilities near Tehran ignited millions of litres of oil, producing an estimated 1.88 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. These attacks, alongside Iranian retaliatory strikes in the Gulf, have contributed to severe environmental damage, including toxic black rain over urban areas. Military losses further add to the carbon footprint, with Iran losing 28 aircraft, 21 naval vessels, and about 300 missile launchers, while the US lost four aircraft. The embodied carbon in destroyed military hardware is estimated at 172,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Additionally, the extensive use of bombs, missiles, and drones on all sides contributes further to the environmental degradation. Experts warn that the war’s reliance on fossil fuel-powered weaponry and infrastructure destruction accelerates climate instability, underscoring the incompatibility of fossil-fuel-driven geopolitics with global efforts to mitigate climate change. This analysis underscores the broader implications of modern warfare beyond immediate human suffering and geopolitical instability. It highlights how armed conflict in fossil fuel-rich regions exacerbates the climate crisis, draining the global carbon budget at an alarming rate. The findings call for greater awareness of the environmental costs of military actions and a reevaluation of foreign policies that prioritize fossil fuel interests over planetary health and security.