CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MILITARIZATION OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: SECONDARY USE OF DESTROYED ARMOR VEHICLES

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between the militarization of the global economy and climate responsibility within the framework of circular economy and industrial decarburization. It is substantiated that armed conflicts generate significant environmental externalities through intensive energy consumption, destruction of infrastructure, soil and water contamination, and a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the military-industrial sector. Particular attention is paid to the potential of recycling destroyed armored vehicles as a source of secondary metals for restoring industrial value chains and reducing the carbon footprint of metallurgy. The study argues that the reuse of military metal scrap enables a decrease in demand for primary raw materials, lowers energy intensity in metal production, and contributes to the achievement of climate targets in post-conflict economies. It is demonstrated that recycling military equipment may become an effective instrument of ecological transformation, economic resilience, and resource security under conditions of geopolitical instability. The paper also outlines institutional and technological barriers that hinder the development of recycling infrastructure in war-affected regions, including limited access to investment, logistics constraints, and regulatory gaps. Policy recommendations are proposed to integrate the principles of a “green” recovery strategy into national reconstruction programs through international cooperation, carbon-sensitive industrial policy, and the development of environmental standards for military waste management. The findings confirm that climate-oriented approaches to post-war reconstruction can transform military destruction into a partial source of sustainable industrial renewal and long-term environmental benefits. Such instruments allow quantifying the real climate effect of secondary metal production compared to primary mining and smelting. The study highlights that transparent monitoring systems and climate reporting standards are essential