Armed conflicts and military activities generate substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Until recently, however, these emissions remained largely unaccounted for in global carbon reporting. That changed with the war in Ukraine, when researchers began estimating and documenting the climate impact of warfare. After developing a specialised methodology, emissions from the war in Gaza have now been assessed, while the conflict in Iran is currently under evaluation.
During this event, Lennard de Klerk will explore the direct and indirect climate impacts of these wars. He will also address how NATO’s new military spending target of 5% could influence military emissions—and discuss potential solutions to prevent a further escalation of military-related emissions in Europe.
Following a 40-minute presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion.
Lennard de Klerk is an independent researcher who recently moved to Padua, Italy. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he founded the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War, a project dedicated to estimating greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the conflict. Since then, he has co-authored a study on the climate impact of the war in Gaza and is currently investigating emissions from the ongoing war in Iran.
Prior to his current work, Lennard developed emissions reduction projects in heavy industry under the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on Russia and Ukraine. In Hungary, he pioneered Central Europe’s first—and, to date, only—climate-neutral holiday accommodation Irota EcoLodge.
Besides his native Dutch he speaks English, German, Hungarian, Russian, Ukrainian and is currently learning Italian.
