By Abbas Nazil
The US/Israeli war on Iran which began on February 28, 2026, has generated a staggering environmental toll, producing approximately five million tonnes of carbon dioxide in its first two weeks alone.
This figure, reported by the Climate and Community Institute, surpasses the annual carbon emissions of Iceland, highlighting the extraordinary climate impact of modern conflict.
The emissions arise from multiple sources, including the destruction of homes, buildings, and fuel, the operation of combat equipment, and the use of missiles and drones.
For example, a single sortie by a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter releases between 14 and 17 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the lifetime emissions of an average passenger vehicle, while the production of these aircraft in 2024 accounted for nearly 14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
The report warns that carbon emissions will escalate dramatically if the war continues.
Depletion of US and Israeli arsenals will necessitate the production and transportation of additional weapons, increasing embedded carbon emissions.
Attacks on oil infrastructure, similar to those seen during the Gulf War, risk releasing large quantities of fossil fuels uncontrollably.
The deployment of naval vessels by other states, including France and the United Kingdom, in a defensive posture will further increase emissions in the region.
The Climate and Community Institute also notes that post-conflict reconstruction will be highly carbon intensive, with rebuilding infrastructure across 14 countries, including homes, hospitals, roads, and oil facilities, potentially producing at least 24 times more emissions than the war itself.
Historical conflicts reinforce the trend, with Israel’s first 15 months of operations in Gaza estimated to have generated over 32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, surpassing the annual emissions of more than 100 countries.
Experts stress that continued reliance on fossil fuels undermines both environmental and national security, with renewable energy development increasingly viewed as essential to climate and geopolitical stability.
The war has exposed how fossil fuel dependence heightens risks while renewable sources offer a safer, more resilient alternative.
Climate consequences, alongside humanitarian and security impacts, will persist long after hostilities end, underlining the urgent need for sustainable energy policies and conflict prevention measures.
