Ukraine tallies environmental damages from 1,000 days of war at COP29

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Marking 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, environmental destruction has taken center stage at COP29
• Ukraine’s pavilion showcases the immense toll of the conflict, with exhibits like missile-shattered solar panels and virtual reality depictions of the damage
• Ukrainian leaders and activists are criticizing the G20 for failing to connect fossil fuels with war, noting that Russia’s fossil fuel revenues fund both environmental devastation and continued aggression

🔭 The context: Russia has earned €787 billion from fossil fuel exports since the invasion, with €206 billion coming from EU countries
• Ukrainian officials argue that stronger sanctions on Russian fossil fuels and a clearer renewable energy transition are crucial for ending the war and achieving global climate goals
• Ukraine estimates that 180 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions have resulted from the conflict, underscoring the need for accountability for the climate impact of war

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The intersection of energy, conflict, and climate change highlights the role fossil fuels play in funding wars and hindering global climate progress
• Ukraine’s call for sanctions and a focus on renewable energy aligns with broader efforts to sever the ties between fossil fuel dependence and geopolitical instability
• The war’s environmental toll — including the destruction of forests, contamination of land, and significant CO₂ emissions — exemplifies the broader impacts of conflicts on ecosystems and climate

⏭️ What's next: Ukraine is prioritizing “building back greener,” with initiatives like planting 555 million trees and advancing renewable energy projects even during the war
• At COP29, Ukrainian leaders aim to spotlight these efforts while pushing for international support in holding Russia accountable for environmental damages
• Meanwhile, calls grow for global climate agreements to explicitly address the links between fossil fuels, security, and peace

💬 One quote: “Russia's fossil fuel revenues are funding the destruction of Ukraine, destabilizing the planet, and blocking the path to renewable energy” – Svitlana Romanko, Founder, Razom We Stand

📈 One stat: The war has damaged nearly 3 million hectares of Ukrainian forests and released 180 million tonnes of CO₂, over three times Azerbaijan’s annual emissions

Click for more news covering the latest in nuclear