Military spending is exploding: climate protection is in danger!

Military spending is exploding: climate protection is in danger!

The discussion about increasing Germany's military spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product is in full swing. This decision, which will take up over 40 percent of the federal budget, has been sharply criticized by experts such as Michael Müller, the federal chairman of the Nature Friends of Germany. The current debate about the militarization of politics shows that a change in public opinion has occurred, which took place without a broad discourse. Müller points out that the ideology that peace can only be achieved with military strength has grown over the last two decades and that the events surrounding the Ukraine war in particular can be seen as a driving force. Critics complain that NATO and the EU have not yet presented a serious peace plan, which is leading Europe into a dead end in terms of peace and détente.

The recurring idea of ​​“war-readiness,” which is becoming increasingly accepted, stands in stark contrast to the challenges of climate protection. The potential consequences of this militarization strategy are alarming: experts warn that increasing military spending could cost up to 300 billion euros a year, and dramatic savings and cuts are expected in other areas. In this context, the active social-ecological transformation that is central to combating climate change could be at risk, neglecting the protection of the earth and climate system.

Connection between climate protection and arms spending

A current study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy examines the connection between climate protection investments and defense spending in Europe. The analysis finds that for every euro not invested in oil, 37 cents less can be spent on defense. Co-author Joschka Wanner emphasizes that failures in climate protection have geopolitical costs that are often ignored. This shows a clear conflict between security and climate policy, which is often not sufficiently discussed in public.

Another alarming aspect is that the war against Ukraine, partly financed by revenues from Russian oil exports, is closely linked to European oil imports and their impact on oil prices and government revenues. Measures such as a CO2 price of at least 60 euros or an oil tax of 37 percent could not only serve to protect the climate, but also reduce defense spending. Avoiding oil could save up to 104 billion euros a year in defense spending in Europe.

Global Military Spending Trends

Global military spending has increased rapidly in recent years. According to Scientists for Global Responsibility, this reached $2.7 trillion in 2024, the highest level since the end of the Cold War. NATO also plans to further increase core military spending, bringing about 55 percent of global military spending into its hands. This spending is not only a burden on public coffers, but also contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions; the military's carbon footprint is estimated at about 5.5 percent of global emissions.

Scientists warn that a continued increase in military spending could jeopardize the achievement of climate goals, particularly the 1.5 degree goal set in Paris. There is an urgent need for action to both review arms spending and to focus more on peaceful solutions and diplomacy. This is the only way to ensure a sustainable and peaceful future that also meets the challenges of climate change.

Overall, there is a worrying trend that endangers not only national and European security, but also society's ecological ambitions. The course must now be set to establish an equal dialogue between security concerns and climate protection.