New publication by European Defence Agency, October 2024
In an era marked by profound environmental challenges and geopolitical complexities, the intersection of climate change, energy, and defence has emerged as a critical area of inquiry. As the EU advances towards its ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the defence sector must navigate this transformative landscape, balancing operational effectiveness with energy transition and climate change adaptation.
This new publication by the EDA investigates the intersection of the European Union’s (EU) sustainability imperatives, particularly embodied in the “European Green Deal” and the strategic considerations of the defence sector, focusing on energy efficiency, building performance, and the defence role within this framework. It was developed within the framework of the Phase III (2019-2024) of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) and is based on extensive research conducted by external experts under the supervision of the CF SEDSS management team and CF SEDSS working groups.
The analysis provides an intricate mapping of the extant conditions within EU ministries of defence, assessing the implementation status of action programmes derived from the overarching framework policy and legislative actions and directives. It focuses on identifying gaps and presenting solutions in the following areas:
- Energy efficiency and buildings performance
- Green public procurement
- Energy storage systems
- Offshore renewable energy installation and defence systems coexistence
- Life cycle assessment and material flow analysis
In addition, this publication outlines the strategic pathways and final reflections from Phase III, emphasizing the critical role of continued cooperation between the European Defence Agency, European Commission, ministries of defence and relevant stakeholders from industry and academia in driving the defence energy transition. It also highlights key initiatives, such as the EU Competence Centre on Climate Change, Security, and Defence, and the European Defence Sustainable Energy Profiles (EDESEP) platform, which aim to foster collaboration and standardize practices within the sector.
PSI editor's note: On 11 December 2024, the European Commission's DG ENER and the EDA signed a new grant agreement that marks the start of Phase IV (2024-2029) of the CF SEDSS, thereby continuing EU efforts and collaboration to decarbonize its defence and security sector, and enhance civil-military cooperation in managing its energy transition amidst climate change.
This text is based on the executive summary of EDA's new publication, edited by Dr. Constantinos Hadijsavvas, Maja Kuzel, Dr. Antonis Zorpas, Dr. Irene Voukkali, and Dr. Iliana Papamichael. The full publication can be found here.