3 years on, war is largest source of carbon emissions in Ukraine

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🗞️ Driving the news: Warfare has become the largest source of Ukraine’s carbon emissions, surpassing all other sectors, according to a new report marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion
• Emissions since 2022 have reached 230 MtCO2e, equivalent to the annual emissions of Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia combined
• Military activities such as fuel consumption, ammunition production, and fortification construction are the primary contributors

🔭 The context: The report, conducted by the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War, shows a sharp increase in war-related emissions compared to earlier assessments
• In addition to military activity, reconstruction efforts accounted for 27% of emissions, while attacks on energy infrastructure contributed 8%
• Fires, worsened by war and extreme drought in 2024, also became a significant emissions source

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The war is accelerating Ukraine’s carbon footprint, making it a major environmental issue alongside the humanitarian crisis
• Wildfires, exacerbated by both climate change and conflict, have destroyed over 92,000 hectares of land—more than double the usual average
• The destruction of energy infrastructure and industrial sites further compounds emissions, affecting long-term sustainability and climate targets.

⏭️ What's next: Ukraine is pushing for Russia to be held accountable for war-related emissions, estimating damages at over $42 billion based on the social cost of carbon
• Legal and diplomatic efforts are underway to include climate damages in reparations claims against Russia
• The war’s ongoing emissions crisis raises questions about how conflicts will be addressed in future global climate agreements

💬 One quote: “Russia started this war and should shoulder the cost of its climate emissions.” — Lennard de Klerk, Dutch scholar and lead author of the report

📈 One stat: 92,100 hectares of land burned in Ukrainian wildfires in 2024, more than double the average of the previous two years

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