NATO leaders have agreed to spend 5% of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by 2035, a move that has been hailed as a “quantum leap” in spending. However, critics argue that this surge in military spending will lead to devastating consequences for people and the planet.
The 2% goal, which NATO first set in 2002, was considered unachievable or unimportant by many members for years. Despite this, three years later, 23 members had met the goal, and all 32 are expected to comply by the end of 2025. The new 5% target is more than doubling military spending from an already high level.
The money will be diverted from social and environmental spending, including aid, healthcare, and climate change initiatives. In fact, many European countries have already announced cuts to their foreign aid budgets, with some reducing aid by as much as 37%.
The increased military spending will also worsen the climate crisis. NATO’s investments in gas-guzzling jets, tanks, and missiles will contribute to rising greenhouse gas emissions, which are already among the world’s biggest carbon polluters.
NATO’s justification for the 5% target is that it needs to confront threats from “Russia” and “terrorism.” However, there is no clear rationale behind the target or details on why these threats have increased. The idea that NATO’s spending can deter terrorism ignores the failures of previous military interventions in Afghanistan and Libya.
In reality, NATO’s true concern is the security of its arms firms. The alliance has successfully pushed for higher European military spending through lobbying groups, which will now reap the rewards with booming revenues and profits.
The consequences of this 5% spending pledge are dire. It prioritizes war over diplomacy and diverts money from social needs to fuel a deadly path. The peoples of NATO countries must reject this trajectory and demand a more peaceful and cooperative approach to security.
As one of the world’s biggest carbon polluters, NATO’s actions have severe implications for humanity and the planet. It is up to the people to hold their leaders accountable and demand a better future for all.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/6/26/natos-5-percent-spending-pledge-is-a-threat-to-people-and-the-planet