Unveiling Environmental Debt: US and UK Militaries Face $111 Billion Climate Reparations
In a groundbreaking study, the environmental costs incurred by the US and UK militaries have been quantified, revealing a staggering debt of at least $111 billion owed to communities most affected by their planet-heating activities. The research, utilizing a "social cost of carbon" framework, delves into the financial repercussions of the climate damage caused by each additional tonne of carbon in the atmosphere.
"The environmental costs of maintaining the global military reach of the US and UK armed forces are astonishing," remarked Patrick Bigger, research director of the Climate and Community Project and co-author of the report.
According to the report, a collaboration between the UK-based thinktank Common Wealth and the US-based Climate and Community Project, the two military giants have collectively generated over 430 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since the 2015 United Nations Paris climate agreement. This surpasses the total greenhouse gas emissions produced in the UK last year.
To address the minimal compensation for the damage caused by these emissions, the study proposes that the US military contribute $106 billion in international climate financing, while the UK military should offer $5 billion. However, the authors emphasize that these figures are "extremely conservative."
One key challenge lies in the opacity and incompleteness of data provided by the US and UK governments, which exclude significant emissions from the institutions' supply chains. The study underscores that the figures, based on limited data, do not encompass the unique climate impacts of military activities, such as the warming properties of jet fuel.
The US and UK have initiated plans to mitigate their military emissions. However, the environmental impact extends beyond greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing health impacts on communities near military activities globally.
As the study underscores, militaries are substantial contributors to the climate crisis, accounting for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The focus on the US and UK arises from their historical roles as "architects of the modern fossil fuel economy" since the Industrial Revolution.
The report recommends a combined $111 billion contribution to an independently governed fund for low-income countries affected by climate change, with priority given to regions near US and UK military infrastructure. The funds should be drawn from military budgets, requiring both countries to close a percentage of their bases.
Additionally, the authors advocate for a comprehensive audit of the environmental damage caused by both nations, along with transitioning parts of the military and arms manufacturing sectors to focus on green initiatives.
The study concludes that a reparative program, encompassing base closures, reduced operations, environmental remediation, climate finance, and just transition plans for military workers, is essential. "‘Green’ fuels won’t cut it," warns Khem Rogaly, a researcher at Common Wealth and study co-author. The imperative lies in a comprehensive approach to address the environmental debt owed by the US and UK militaries.
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