The following text is an abstract of a study published by the European Comission and the European Defence Agency. It was authored by Ricardo Tavares da Costa (European Commission Directorate-General Joint Research Centre), Elisabeth Krausmann (European Commission Directorate-General Joint Research Centre) and Constantinos Hadjisavvas (European Defence Agency). Read the full study here.
This study, which for the first time addresses the climate change-energy-defence nexus, provides a set of concrete recommendations for defence decision-makers on climate change mitigation and adaptation. To achieve this, it assesses the impacts of climate change on defence-related critical energy infrastructure, military infrastructure and military capabilities, identifies options to strengthen climate resilience and multinational collaboration, while contributing to the EU’s efforts towards climate neutrality by 2050.
The study was produced within the context of the third phase of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector to support the efforts of EU ministries of defence to strengthen climate resilience, particularly with respect to disruptions associated with defence-related critical energy infrastructure. The study contributes to the implementation of the EU’s Climate Change and Defence Roadmap and supports the development of national strategies by EU Member States to prepare the armed forces for climate change, as called for in the EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence.
To reduce climate risk, strengthen resilience, enhance energy security, and bring the defence sector in line with the EU targets on energy and climate neutrality by 2050, EU defence should be proactive in:
• Improving its green credentials by applying the “energy efficiency first principle” and systematically reducing GHG emissions;
• Ensuring energy diversification, both onsite and in procurement;
• Modernising and future-proofing infrastructure, particularly energy systems;
• Streamlining and updating its procedures and applications;
• Investing in R&D, innovation and training;
• Strengthening multilateral cooperation.
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