Researchers find Israel responsible for over 99% of Gaza war carbon emissions

New research has found that the emissions produced during the first two months of the war in Gaza were higher than the yearly carbon footprint of over 20 of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.

The research was published on Tuesday on the Social Science Research Network. Climate activists have been protesting in support of Palestinians in Gaza at Cop28 in Dubai, under the slogan ‘No climate justice without peace’. Gaza has become a key point for climate activists.

Most war emissions from Israel’s actions

The study reveals that more than 99% of the estimated 281,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2 equivalent) produced in the first 60 days after the Hamas attack on October 7 can be linked to Israel’s air strikes and ground invasion of Gaza. This is according to a unique analysis by researchers in the UK and US.

The study, which only considers a few carbon-intensive activities and is therefore likely an underestimate, suggests that the climate impact of Israel’s military response in the first 60 days was the same as burning at least 150,000 tonnes of coal.

The analysis, which is still awaiting peer review, includes CO2 from aircraft missions, tanks, and other vehicles, as well as emissions produced by the creation and detonation of bombs, artillery, and rockets. It does not include other gases that warm the planet, such as methane. Almost half of the total CO2 emissions were due to US cargo planes delivering military supplies to Israel.

"Benjamin Neimark, a senior lecturer at QMUL, commented that the study provides a partial picture of the long-lasting environmental damage caused by war, including massive carbon emissions".

War’s full carbon footprint underestimated

Earlier studies indicate that the real carbon footprint could be five to eight times larger if emissions from the entire war supply chain were considered.

Neimark, who collaborated with researchers at the University of Lancaster and the Climate and Community Project (CCP), a US-based climate policy think tank, added, “The military’s environmental exceptionalism allows them to pollute freely, as if the carbon emissions from their tanks and fighter jets don’t matter. This needs to stop. To tackle the climate crisis, we need accountability.”

Since Hamas killed as many as 1,200 Israelis, Israel’s unprecedented bombing of Gaza has caused widespread death and destruction. The Gaza health authority reports that nearly 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, with thousands more presumed dead under the rubble.

According to UN agencies, about 85% of the population has been forcibly displaced and is facing life-threatening food and water shortages. More than 100 Israeli hostages are still held captive in Gaza, and hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been killed.

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