As the effects of climate change accelerate and nations shift towards clean energy sources, armies are increasingly considering the carbon footprint of their military operations, infrastructure, and supply chains. Several countries have initiated programs to enhance the efficiency and capacity of their military institutions to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, particularly concerning carbon emissions.
In this context, the 2024 Global Climate and Security Report (Military Innovation and the Climate Challenge) published by the International Military Council on Climate and Security analyzes the significance of climate change for armies, focusing on NATO countries. The report explores the role of military research and innovations in reducing emissions and increasing the resilience of infrastructure to climate impacts, while also improving the self-sufficiency of military units and facilities. Furthermore, it highlights the need for militaries to adopt a comprehensive approach to tackle climate challenges, which includes research and development (R&D) as well as changes in policies and procurement.
The report emphasizes the importance of military readiness to adapt to future climate conditions, meaning that military plans should be more flexible and better equipped to deal with environmental changes, such as situating military bases in flood-protected areas or training military forces to handle natural disasters. However, the report also stresses the importance of international collaboration in addressing these global risks, which affect the entire world without exception.
Changes in Warfare and Climate:
The nature of warfare is changing with the increasing impacts of climate change. Armies can leverage low-carbon technologies to adapt their operations to the new operational environment. With rising temperatures and increasing natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, military operational environments have become unstable and unpredictable. These changes require armies to rethink how they organize their operations, from strategic planning to daily logistics.
The International Military Council’s report indicates that low-carbon technologies, such as solar and renewable energy, may be integral to solutions. Armies can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by adopting these technologies, contributing to a decrease in carbon emissions and enhancing the independence of military units. For instance, using solar batteries to charge equipment in the field or electric armored vehicles can lessen the need for traditional fuel supplies.
While innovation in low-carbon technologies presents substantial opportunities, there are challenges, such as the need for rapid adaptation of new technologies to combat conditions and ensuring their reliability in harsh environments. However, armies that succeed in adopting these technologies will benefit from a more resilient and sustainable operational environment, reducing the risks of logistical supply disruptions due to climate crises.
The report also elucidates that technological innovation must be part of long-term military strategic planning. In other words, developing low-carbon technologies is not merely a temporary solution; it must be a central and sustainable element in how wars are organized and planned in the future. Climate change poses new challenges to military operations, but it also opens the door to utilizing low-carbon technologies as part of modern defense strategies. Armies that can embrace these innovations will be better equipped to adapt to changing environments and face future challenges.
Decarbonization and Armies:
This part of the report discusses the importance of transitioning energy infrastructure as a key component of military strategies to reduce carbon emissions. The goal is to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and enhance the use of renewable energy, leading to more sustainable and resilient armies in the face of climate challenges.
Energy infrastructure plays a critical role in military operations, as military bases, whether domestically or in operational areas, require substantial amounts of energy to run equipment, communications systems, heating and cooling, and more. Consequently, the current reliance on fossil fuels makes this infrastructure vulnerable to supply disruptions while increasing harmful emissions.
Thus, the report stresses that transitioning military energy infrastructure to renewable sources is an essential step towards reducing carbon emissions. Solutions like solar energy, wind power, and batteries can provide clean and sustainable energy for military bases. Additionally, relying on local energy sources reduces the need for armies to transport fuel over long distances, thus lowering logistical risks and costs. Armies also need to develop new infrastructure focused on sustainability; future military bases could be constructed using systems that fully rely on renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. For example, smart grids could be used within military bases to effectively distribute energy and store surplus for emergencies.
Transitioning to renewable energy is not only better for the environment but also enhances security. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels makes armies less vulnerable to energy supply disruptions. Economically, green technologies lead to savings in military budgets over the long term by lowering operational costs and increasing efficiency.
Despite the many benefits of transitioning to renewable energy, challenges remain, such as the high upfront costs of some technologies and difficulties in adapting to field conditions. Therefore, the report suggests that governments and military organizations should collaborate with the private sector to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
Military Supply Chains:
When discussing the relationship between climate change and defense, the focus is often on the impacts of extreme weather events and climate-induced conflicts. However, a secondary concern is emerging in the literature: how militaries contribute to climate change due to their substantial carbon emissions, especially those produced by operating heavy machinery like tanks and fighter jets. Furthermore, there is an increasing awareness of the potential emissions associated with supply chains that support military operations, which encompass equipment procurement and fuel use, as well as air travel. These supply chains often involve partners outside the military institution itself, typically in energy-intensive industries.
This section of the report focuses on how to reduce carbon emissions generated by military supply chains, which are a crucial aspect of modern military operations. It highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices within these supply chains to ensure secure operations that minimize environmental impacts and enhance efficiency. Military supply chains represent a complex network involving the transportation of equipment, fuel, food, and resources from production points to frontlines and remote areas. They heavily rely on maritime, aerial, and land transportation, which are significant sources of carbon emissions. The longer and more complex the supply chains, the higher the accompanying emissions, leading the report to propose several strategies for reducing emissions in military supply chains, including:
- Using eco-friendly vehicles and equipment, such as electric or hybrid trucks and armored vehicles.
- Adopting autonomous vehicles that consume less fuel than traditional vehicles.
- Improving logistical efficiency by reducing travel distances and eliminating waste in logistical processes.
- Utilizing artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance inventory management and transport planning.
- Relying on local sources and reducing dependence on resources transported over long distances, opting for nearby sources to lessen transportation needs.
Technology and Innovation:
Technology plays a vital role in enhancing the sustainability of military supply chains. For instance, drones can be utilized for supply delivery, reducing the need for traditional high-emission vehicles. Additionally, smart tracking technologies can minimize logistical errors and waste.
Despite the significant benefits of adopting sustainable strategies, challenges such as the high initial costs of clean technologies and the complexity of altering existing logistics systems persist. However, the report emphasizes that long-term investment in sustainability will lead to reduced operational costs and improved efficiency. In this context, it recommends that international collaboration among different militaries is necessary to adopt standardized environmental criteria in military supply chains, as well as to enhance transparency and governance for better tracking and management of emissions.
The report also outlines additional recommendations to enhance the role of armies in combating climate change, such as relying on civilian and commercial research that includes programs capable of integration with military operations upon completion, and working on improving energy efficiency in military platforms, even if incrementally. This trajectory has benefits for both operational capability and reducing carbon footprints.
Moreover, increasing reliance on artificial intelligence can contribute to improving efficiency and reducing soldier-related costs in vehicles, potentially opening new avenues for research. Utilizing technologies that minimize emissions and align with other ongoing developments will be more effective.
While military research provides clear pathways for developing new technologies, the best opportunities for reducing the carbon footprint of armies will arise from innovative approaches to procurement and policies. Thus, it is crucial for armies to rethink their procurement policies and requirements, as these will likely have a more substantial impact on climate challenges than innovation in military technology alone.
Conclusion:
Finally, it is vital for military leaders to send clear signals to researchers and investors in clean energy that there is a commitment from the military to purchase developed products. Additionally, expanding the concept of innovation to include new methods for managing military and defense organizations can significantly contribute to mitigating the severe impacts of climate challenges on the world.
Source:
The International Military Council on Climate and Security. (2024, July). World Climate and Security Report 2024. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2024/07/10/world-climate-and-security-report-2024/
