Green Defence: Setting A Conscious Balance Between A Solution For Two Threats
GREEN DEFENCE
Defence Sector and Carbon Emissions
According to research by the Scientists for Global Responsibility (GSR), 6% of total global carbon emissions are from the combined militaries of the world and the industries that provide them with equipment. Important international treaties like Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015) have exempted the defence sector from providing complete data on its carbon footprint. It is up to the countries’ governments whether they would like to account for the emissions from the military. The scientific community looks at this as a “large loophole.” “Military carbon emissions matter because they are a potentially large loophole in the Paris targets – especially for the high military spenders like the US, China, UK, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and France,” said the Executive Director of SGR.
Need for Green Defence
Despite numerous warnings about the deadly impacts of climate change, policymakers have always shown negligence toward this global threat. Climate change can be as profound an issue as national security; hence, all sectors, including the defence, must contribute to reducing their carbon footprint and combat climate change. Attitudes must change, and sustainability must be prioritized to ensure a safe future for posterity.
What is Green Defence
Green defence, in simple words, addresses how a sustainable transition from the military can be made through planning and technological interventions. It deals with reducing the carbon footprint of the Army and allied sectors.
Nations that are working on Greening of the Defence Sector
Several nations of NATO and EU are working towards greening the operations of their Armed Forces. France, Demark, Lithuania, and other countries are keenly working on reducing their carbon footprint. For instance, through its sustainable development strategy (S3D), the French defence ministry has identified five priorities:
- Improve energy efficiency and consumption management.
- Promote youth employability as a defining element of social cohesion.
- Give SMEs greater access to the Ministry of Defence’s public procurement contracts.
- Raise awareness among ministry personnel about sustainable development.
- Preserve the environment and biodiversity on land and at sea.
Since 2009, France has reduced its energy use (excluding operation fuel) to 13%, and 80% of defence bases have implemented energy efficiency certificates.
The EU is the third largest contributor to GHGs in the world. Earlier, during the annexation of Ukraine by Russia, it proposed to go carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this target, the European Defence Agency aims to cut its dependence on fossil fuels and plans to develop cleaner and sustainable energy models at home.
Developing countries are also striving to reduce their defence carbon footprint. For example, the Indian Army, as per sources, has planned to invest in electric vehicles (EVs). These electric vehicles, which include buses, sedans, and motorcycles, will be available at designated peace stations, and this will help minimise the Army’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.
Implications of Green Defence
Since the armed forces are such vast entities, lowering energy consumption and emissions can provide tremendous benefits, not just in terms of the environment but also in terms of cost savings and risk reduction.
The benefits could be much higher if we embrace the whole picture of what “green” means and collaborate on worldwide initiatives.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
