The Scandal of Ever Rising Global Military Expenditure
The rich developed nations spending the most on the current arms race (almost $3tr in 2025) are also those with the greatest historical culpability for the climate emergency whist at the same time being amongst the most vocal about Net Zero, the championing of targets, transparency and transition. As we fight to keep 1.5 degrees alive they expand ‘defence’ spending and drive a new arms race; as they drastically cut international development and climate finance, so they speak about sustainability, all the time pouring hundreds of billions into fuelling global instability.
These nations cannot be allowed to have it both ways. It must be called out and addressed. This topic sits at the heart of climate justice. It also sits at the heart of the reparations debate. It holds up the mirror to how humanity must address this climate emergency – with equity, co-operation, and empathy.
From Antalya to Addis – Military Expenditure on the Agenda
Tough as this issue may be, civil society is pushing hard to get military spending as a climate finance issue onto the formal agenda and into negotiations. The hope is that COP32 in Ethiopia – the Africa COP – will be that moment. This briefing makes the case that the rapid year on year increases in the military spending of (Annex II) rich countries is evidence enough that there is money available to meet their historic climate obligations, despite claims to the contrary. It is simply a matter of political choice. The time has come to replace self-interest with the common good.
Recommendations
- Redirection of annual military spending of Annex II countries to fund international public climate finance for African nations
Since the annual military spending of Annex II countries is so large − just under half the value of the combined African economy at $3.6 trillion − diverting 10% or even 5% of this annual $1.5 trillion military spending to climate finance could achieve significant results for the African continent. For example, a mere 5% of Annex II countries’ annual military spending at $1.5tn is $76 billion a year, which can readily fund:
- 100% of annual costs to fully electrify all Sub-Saharan African households by 2030. ($50bn a year needed)
- 30% of annual climate finance needed to implement Africa’s NDCs by 2030. ($250bn a year needed)
Adding to two of the climate finance option explored in Watts Up Africa’s briefing Africa’s Just Transition: Where Will the Money Come From:
- International Climate Reparations Fund: Military Emissions
“Africa and the Global South can demand a permanent reparations mechanism, separate from loans or market-based schemes, funded by the Global North to compensate for historical emissions and climate harm.” We suggest the inclusion of historical military- and conflict-related emissions and climate harm.
- Polluter Pays Mechanisms (International): Arms Industries
“African nations can champion a global Loss and Damage tax aimed at historical polluters, such as oil companies, high-emission multinational corporations, and legacy industrial powers.” We suggest the inclusion of global north multinational arms and military services companies (eg SIPRI top 100), liable as they are for climate harms caused in peacetime and war and as a direct result of being the supply chain underpinning high spending fossil-fuel-reliant militaries.
