New analysis reveals US-Israeli attacks on Iran released 5m tones of emissions
New analysis seen by the Guardian has revealed that US-Israeli attacks on Iran have released 5m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the last two weeks alone.
The first climate analysis of the assault found that the attacks were draining the global carbon budget faster than 84 countries combined.
According to the report, the destruction of buildings have contributed the most to the emissions. Iranian Red Crescent humanitarian organisation has reported that some 20,000 civilian buildings have been damaged in the assault, producing an estimated 2.4m tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in emissions.
Fuel, used to power US heavy bombers flying to Iran, is the second biggest emitter. The report estimates that, in the last 14 days, 150m and 270m litres of fuel were consumed by aircraft, vessels and vehicles.
Additionally, the analysis found that attacks on oil facilities - which in Tehran have produced toxic acid rain and exposed millions to toxic pollution - has emitted an estimated 1.88m tCO2e.
Fred Otu-Larbi, the study’s lead author, from the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana, said: “We expect emissions to increase rapidly as the conflict proceeds, mainly due to the speed [at] which oil facilities are being targeted at an alarming rate.”
“We all need to live with the climate aftermaths. Just what are the costs, no one really knows, that is why studies like this are so vital. Burning up the annual emissions of Iceland in two weeks is something we really cannot afford.”
The findings contribute to reporting in the last week of the public health and climate risks posed by increasing targeting of oil and gas infrastructure in the conflict.
Analysis by the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) showed that the attacks will likely take a heavy civilian toll, with the public health risks likely to be long lasting.
US-Israeli attacks on oil facilities in Tehran on 7 March produced columns of thick black smoke, which CEOBS said contained a pollutants including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), alongside particles composed of soot, organic material and trace metals.
It said that one particle of concern is black carbon which can lead to respiratory disorders, particularly for high risk groups like those with asthma and the elderly.