‘Choose people and planet over pain’: UN chief highlights climate impact of war in New Year’s call

The United Nations chief has issued an urgent appeal to protect the planet ahead of the New Year, warning that “chaos and uncertainty” surrounds us.

Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “one fact speaks louder than words” as he revealed that global military spending soared to a staggering $2.7 trillion (around €2.3 trillion) last year. As humanitarian crises and political tensions continue to intensify, this cost is projected to more than double, hitting $6.6 trillion (€5.63 trillion) by 2035.

“It is clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice,” Guterres says.

“In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and [the] planet over pain. This New Year, let’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace.”

What could be achieved without military spending

In September, at the request of UN Member States, Guterres launched a report titled ‘The true cost of peace’ revealing the “stark imbalance” in global spending. It highlights the trade-offs presented by the increasing cost of militaries, arguing that investing in peace is more important than ever.

The report found that reinvesting just 15 per cent of global military spend is more than enough to cover the annual costs of climate change adaptation in developing countries. It also warned that each dollar spent on the military generates over twice the greenhouse gas emissions of a dollar that is invested in civilian sectors.

Spending $1 billion (€852 million) on the military creates around 11,200 jobs – but the same amount of money could create 16,800 jobs in the clean energy sector, 26,700 jobs in education, or 17,200 jobs in healthcare.

Less than four per cent of the $2.7 trillion is needed annually to end world hunger by 2030, while a little over 10 per cent could fully vaccinate every child in the world.

The cost of ‘conflict carbon’

War is often referred to as one of the world’s “top polluters”, with emissions generated not only by fuel-guzzling jets and tanks but also efforts needed to clear and rebuild damage following wars.

According to The War On Climate, a campaign group advocating for the inclusion of military emissions in global climate agreements, the Israel-Gaza war produced 32.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in just 15 months.

A 2022 study by Scientists for Global Responsibility and the Conflict and Environment Observatory estimates that militaries are responsible for around 5.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with armed conflicts emitting more CO₂ than most countries.

Despite this, militaries are widely excluded from mandatory reporting under global climate agreements. In fact, the EU leaves around 82 per cent of its military emissionsunreported and is slated to increase its defence spending by €100 billion by 2027.

It’s why there has been growing demand for the environmental cost of conflict to be laid bare in recent years. “Europe can’t claim climate leadership while its military emissions remain opaque,” says Dr Soroush Abolfathi, an associate professor at Warwick University and part of The War on Climate.

Climate reparations for war

Back in November, it was revealed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has so far created emissions equivalent to 236.8 million tonnes of CO₂.

Around three million hectares of Ukrainian forests have also been destroyed or damaged by war, reducing their greenhouse gas absorption capacity by 1.7 million tonnes per year. Despite covering less than six per cent of the continent's land mass, Ukraine is home to a third of European biodiversity.

The Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War (IGGAW) found that military forces on both sides have used 18 million tonnes of fuel and set fire to 1.3 million hectares of fields and forests.

Hundreds of oil and gas structures have also been destroyed, while “vast amounts” of steel and cement have been ordered to fortify the front lines. The emissions are the equivalent of the annual emissions of Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia combined.

Russia is now under pressure to pay $43.8 billion (approximately €37.74 billion) in what would be the world’s first case of climate reparations from war. You can read how the Register of Damage for Ukraine will work here.