A Multitemporal Snapshot of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Israel-Gaza Conflict [updated pre-print]

Abstract

The projected emissions from the first 120 days of the Israel-Gaza conflict were greater than the annual emissions of 26 individual countries and territories. ❖ If we include war infrastructure built by both Israel and Hamas, including the Hamas' tunnel network and Israel's protective fence or 'Iron Wall,' the total emissions increase to more than over 36 individual countries and territories. ❖ The carbon costs of reconstructing Gaza are huge. Rebuilding Gaza will entail total emissions figure higher than the annual emissions of over 135 countries, putting on them par with that of Sweden and Portugal. ❖ Our upper estimate on all pre-/post-war activities are comparable to the burning of 31,000 kilo tonnes of coal-the amount of which can power about 15.8 coal-fired power plants in one year. 1 ❖ The ad-hoc nature of these calculations point to the urgent need for mandatory military emissions reporting for both war and peacetime through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Keywords: Climate Change, Global Militaries, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Israel-Gaza