Is the US military a blind spot for the country’s emissions?

In the global fight against climate change, the role of the US military’s contributions to global emissions is a critical but often overlooked aspect that demands closer attention.

The US military’s formidable presence in various conflicts and humanitarian missions has made it a key player in shaping international geopolitics. Its significance extends beyond military might, as it also plays a crucial role in disaster relief efforts, peacekeeping, and providing support during crises.

As one of the largest and most sophisticated military forces, their actions, and policies have far-reaching implications on global stability and profoundly impact the world stage.

The US has set goals to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions. However, much attention has been given to industries like transportation, energy, and agriculture, but the impact of their military operations has often been overlooked.

According to an analysis by Boston University, the US military is the nation’s largest consumer of petroleum, and its fuel use is responsible for more than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The percentage accounts for an estimated 1.2 billion metric tons of emissions since 2001. As of 2018, the Pentagon owned many facilities spread over various countries, with each having its share of carbon footprints.

In 2017, the US Air Force purchased the most fuel in 2017, at a cost of $4.9 billion, followed by the Navy at $2.8 billion. In total, the US military purchased $8.7 billion worth of fuel that year, considering the Army and the Marines with fuel purchases valued in millions.

Past Presidents of the nations have shown varied priorities when it comes to the armed forces’ environmental impact. Under the Bush administration, there was an increase in the size of the military by 700,000 troops. This led to an increase in fuel consumption, as it needed more fuel to power its vehicles and aircraft.

Additionally, Bush withdrew the US from the protocol in 2001, which meant that the US was no longer bound by its emissions reduction targets. According to a 2010 study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, military emissions increased by 22% between 2001 and 2009. This was the largest increase in emissions since the 1970s.

After Bush, Obama took some steps to reduce emissions. He signed an executive order requiring the military to develop a plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. He also set a goal of reducing its fuel consumption by 20% by 2020 which they could not achieve due to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite this, the Obama administration made some progress such as a 2% decrease in military fuel consumption between 2010 and 2016.

The administration’s policies helped to lay the groundwork for future reductions in military emissions. However, once Trump took over he rolled back on many of Obama’s environmental regulations. In turn, during his time in office, the emissions from many industries greatly increased again.

Now, in the Biden era, the administration issued an executive order on climate change that directed the military to reduce its fuel consumption by 50% by 2030. He has invested in research and development of new technologies that could help them achieve this goal such as more efficient engines, green fuel, and ways to carbon capture.

Handling this issue is a tricky feat as international climate agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement do not include military carbon footprints under the pretense that it could compromise national security. Hence, the lack of transparency and unreliable data about a nation’s emissions through the military makes it difficult to address the issue globally.