Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is causing devastating harm not only to the environment but also has a global impact on the climate. Greenhouse gas emissions from military operations, infrastructure destruction, fires, and other war-related impacts are significantly exacerbating the climate crisis.
Over four years of the full-scale invasion, military activities have resulted in more than 311 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO2e) in additional emissions, with the associated climate damage estimated at nearly 57 billion USD.
Ecoaction, together with partners, systematically conducts research assessing greenhouse gas emissions directly linked to the full-scale invasion and its consequences. This work is carried out in cooperation with the Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War — an international group of experts established in March 2022. Key outputs include six assessment reports and the first methodological guidance on estimating greenhouse gas emissions from armed conflicts.
Ukraine has become the first country not only to systematically account for emissions during active hostilities but also to shape a new international approach to documenting climate damage caused by war. These data play a crucial role in advancing the agenda of climate damage and compensation.
In November 2025, at the COP30, Ukraine announced its intention to submit an official claim to the international Register of Damage to seek compensation for climate damage caused by russia’s aggression.