XP

Highlights

• Total emissions of Israel-Gaza war amounted to 33.2 million tons
• Emissions from the open conflict surpassed 1.3 million tons CO2 equiv
• Pre- and post-conflict activities contributed a considerate amount of CO2 equiv
• Mandatory reporting of military emissions is essential for effective climate mitigation

Comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventories are vital for effective climate governance. However, a decade after the Paris Agreement, significant reporting gaps still exist. Emissions associated with military activities represent one such gap, with direct emissions from conflicts frequently unreported and pre- and post-conflict emissions consistently overlooked. Insufficient accounting prevents military emissions from being included in international climate agreements, undermining climate mitigation. We use open-source data in government, think tank, and civil society reports on combat operations and military installations to assess emissions from the Israel-Gaza conflict, including pre-conflict infrastructure, active conflict, and post-conflict reconstruction. We show that scope 1 and 2 emissions of open conflict exceeded 1.3 million tons CO₂ equiv by January 2025. This value rises to 33.2 million tons CO₂ equiv when including scope 3+ emissions of pre- and post-conflict activities like defensive fences and reconstruction, highlighting the need for more comprehensive reporting of military emissions and their significant climate costs.