Does war impact the world’s climate?

At COP30 in Brazil, UN chief Antonio Guterres described the failure to limit global warming to 1.5C as a “deadly moral failure.” The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant environmental destruction, with 61 million tonnes of rubble, much of it hazardous, and scientists warn of irreversible damage to ecosystems. In Syria, severe drought linked to climate change poses challenges for post-war recovery. The discussion raises questions about why the environmental impacts of war are often overlooked.