How the military-industrial complex is waging war on the planet

The military-industrial complex poses a significant threat to the planet, according to a recent report. This contribution is often overlooked or downplayed, but the environmental impact of war and the military-industrial complex is greater than that of civilian aviation and global shipping combined. In 2022, researchers at Scientists for Global Responsibility and the Conflict and Environment Observatory estimated that the global military carbon footprint accounts for about 5.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, with a plausible range of 3.3-7%.

This figure does not include emissions generated during actual wars and is larger than Russia's national emissions. The peacetime operations of the arms industry contribute to climate change through the heavy dependence on oil for modern armed forces, such as fighter aircraft, bombers, helicopters, warships, tanks, and military logistics fleets.

Military exercises and the movement of personnel and equipment also add to these emissions. Additionally, military infrastructure, including bases, airfields, naval facilities, radar installations, military housing, and training grounds, consume electricity and heating fuel, while requiring construction and maintenance. These permanent military installations generate emissions even when no war is taking place.

Moreover, weapons production, which includes aircraft, ships, armored vehicles, missiles, electronics, buildings, and ammunition, has a large industrial footprint. The production of these weapons requires various materials and resources, leading to substantial industrial emissions unless military production is significantly reduced.

Once soldiers begin using their weapons, the planet suffers further consequences. Military activities increase during conflicts, with aircraft flying more missions, armored vehicles operating continuously, ammunition transportation, ship deployments, and extensive logistical systems moving fuel, food, weapons, and personnel. The carbon footprint of a military at war is significantly larger than its peacetime footprint.

Furthermore, destruction during warfare releases greenhouse gases directly and generates massive fires. Urban warfare can also burn buildings and vehicles. The Conflict and Environment Observatory treats emissions generated by warfare as an additional category beyond the estimated 5.5% military footprint. Even after the fighting stops, the environment continues to suffer due to reconstruction efforts.

Destroying a city generates emissions during the attack, but rebuilding it requires massive quantities of cement, concrete, steel, glass, and asphalt, all of which are major sources of carbon dioxide. A war can create a second wave of emissions lasting many years after the fighting ceases. The 5.5% estimate does not account for post-conflict reconstruction.

Additionally, war can destroy natural carbon sinks, such as forests, wetlands, and ecosystems, releasing stored carbon while reducing the land's future ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Conflict can also weaken environmental regulations, making illegal logging or uncontrolled resource extraction more feasible. These factors contribute to the overall environmental damage caused by the military-industrial complex.

However, the situation is worsening, as we are witnessing a global rearmament binge. The NATO defense budget reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 2025, with NATO's 32 member states accounting for nearly half of these expenditures. NATO has set a target to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The Hague Declaration commits allies to spending 3.5% of GDP on core military requirements and up to 1.5% on defence and security-related infrastructure.

If this target is achieved, NATO's security-related expenditures would reach approximately $4.2 trillion annually. This significant increase in military spending would exacerbate the environmental damage caused by the military-industrial complex.