Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared at the COP31 climate conference that his country demands compensation for the environmental damage caused by American and Israeli attacks. He linked the demand to international efforts to address climate change.
According to the Iranian head of state, the international community must establish a clear link between climate commitments in peacetime and responsibility in wartime. He called for the registration and assessment of environmental damage resulting from military attacks. He also called for the establishment of mechanisms to compensate for it.
“We expect the international community to establish a meaningful and real link between climate commitments in peacetime and responsibility in wartime, to register and assess the environmental damage caused by military attacks, and to develop compensation mechanisms”, said Pezeshkian.
His statement came on the third day of the two-week conference, which is being held in Turkey and where heads of state have spoken one after another. International climate agreements provide for billions of dollars from wealthy countries to help developing countries adapt to climate change and cope with its impacts. However, they contain no provisions for the environmental consequences of military attacks.
COP31 and the context of the conflict
The United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran at the end of February. The conflict spread to Lebanon and the Gulf states. It included attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran and across the wider region, as well as on ships.
For its part, Iran has repeatedly launched attacks on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks have caused environmental damage, including significant oil spills. A report by a consortium of international scientists, published on Tuesday, estimates that global emissions from fossil fuels are expected to fall slightly this year. This is expected partly due to high fuel prices and the increased use of renewable energy sources following the conflict.