Table Europe article on Climate and Defence
The challenges of decarbonising defence, and the innovations shaping sustainability in the industry
In this interview by Stephan Israel with BAE’s Director of Sustainability and chair of the ASD’s task force on climate and defence, Debbie Allen is clear that the decarbonisation of the defence industry is no “green washing”. Government commitments to climate neutrality by 2050 demand decarbonisation across all terrains – including defence.
The interview explores the challenge of achieving carbon neutrality in defence, which requires addressing emissions related to production, supply chains, and equipment usage. Carbon reduction efforts in the defence sector include trials with climate-neutral fuels for fighter aircraft and exploring hybrid or electrified drives for military vehicles.
In the article, Debbie Allen explains that while the defence sector acknowledges its carbon footprint, operational capability remains a priority, and security is ultimately a prerequisite for sustainability. Initiatives such as the European Defence Fund and NATO's Climate Change and Security Action Plan are part of efforts to transition to climate-neutral military equipment without compromising interoperability or operational effectiveness.
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What are the GHG emissions of the defence sector and industry, and how they can be reduced across the lifecycles of defence-related products? What are the factors that make decarbonising defence particularly challenging?