COP28 Demilitarisation – Climate & Gender Justice

Early on I attended “Win-win for climate and gender justice & peace: Acting on military spending and military emissions“. It was organised by Drexel University, Tipping Point North South and the Women’s international league for Peace and Freedom.

It is estimated that the global military contributes around 5.5% to global greenhouse gas emission. That is more than the 52 countries of the African continent. It is also more than civilian aviation and shipping combined. Furthermore, this figure does not include the emissions generated during conflict. It is estimated that in its first year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was responsible for emissions equivalent to that of a country the size of Belgium. 

Global military emissions correlate with military spending estimated at $2.24 trillion in 2022, a record high. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, defence investment guideline in 2006 states that “NATO Defence Ministers agreed to commit a minimum of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defence spending to continue to ensure the Alliance’s military readiness.” Quote from NATO website.

In contrast it has not been possible to fulfil the $100 billion target of annual climate finance to low income countries.

Tipping Point North South and Transnational Institute published a report in 2023 called Climate Crossfire.

Their research estimates that:

• The total military carbon footprint of NATO rose from 196 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2021 to 226 million tCO2e in 2023 – 30 million tonnes more in two years, equivalent to putting more than 8 million extra cars on the road.
• NATO’s average yearly military carbon footprint of 205 million tCO2e is higher than the total annual GHG emissions of many individual countries. If NATO’s militaries were a single country, it would rank as the world’s 40th largest carbon polluter.
• If all NATO members meet the target of 2% GDP spending, between 2021 and 2028 their total collective military carbon footprint would be 2 billion tCO2e, greater than the annual GHG emissions of Russia, a major petroleum-producing country.
• NATO’s military spending increased from $1.16 trillion to $1.26 trillion between 2021 and 2023, and the number of states meeting the 2% target almost doubled from six to 11 countries. If all 31 member states were to meet the 2% minimum GDP target, it would lead to an estimated total expenditure of $11.8 trillion between 2021 and 2028.
• NATO’s military expenditure of $1.26 trillion in 2023 would pay the most-polluting nations’ unfulfilled promise of climate finance of $100 billion a year for 12 years.
• If every NATO member were to meet the commitment to 2% of GDP on military spending, by 2028, NATO would spend an estimated additional $2.57 trillion, enough to pay for what the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has estimated are the climate adaptation costs for low- and middle-income countries for seven years.

NATO members are increasing their emissions as the world is trying to reduce them.

Reporting military emissions is voluntary. Despite contributing a minimum of 5.5% to global emissions climate impacts of the military are not officially discussed at COP.

There was much more to the event than military spending however. It covered topics from gender based violence to environmental destruction as well as the mistreatment and murder of environmental defenders. The disproportionate impact on women and children as we can see happening in real time in Palestine. You can watch it all here:

I really like this resource from WILPF. It’s the 10 Things You Need to Know about Demilitarisation for Climate Justice from an Intersectional Feminist Perspective.

Following this event I went to one where Hilary Clinton was speaking. I left after 10 minutes as it felt like a party political broadcast.

Theresa O’Donohoe

December 2023