Recommendations & Conclusions
16 items
1
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
The increasing exploitation of the Arctic for international trade and exploration for critical minerals gives greater importance to the role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) as a security alliance in the ‘High North’. The Ministry of Defence should assess how the JEF might need to be adapted in the …
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The increasing exploitation of the Arctic for international trade and exploration for critical minerals gives greater importance to the role of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) as a security alliance in the ‘High North’. The Ministry of Defence should assess how the JEF might need to be adapted in the face of climate-change induced developments in the Arctic and beyond.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the UK is committed to working with allies in the 'High North' and that the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is already responding to and actively monitoring climate change impacts and security dynamics in the region.
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Ministry of Defence
2
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
Military equipment will need to be adapted to operate effectively under the more extreme temperature ranges that are predicted, as well to help reduce emissions, although this should be achieved without compromising military capability. This process cannot be delayed; more than a 1,000 new tanks and other armoured vehicles with …
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Military equipment will need to be adapted to operate effectively under the more extreme temperature ranges that are predicted, as well to help reduce emissions, although this should be achieved without compromising military capability. This process cannot be delayed; more than a 1,000 new tanks and other armoured vehicles with conventional diesel engines will enter service in the next few years and will still be in service after the 2050 net zero target. Armed Forces training will also need to be adapted in the face of rising global temperatures, so military readiness to respond to crises is not eroded.
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Government response AI summary
The government details ongoing and planned decarbonisation efforts, including clearing all Defence air platforms for 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends, investing £14 million with a further £13 million programmed for Battlefield Electrification trials, and designing future naval platforms for through-life adaptability to new energy …
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Ministry of Defence
3
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
Defence should undertake research and assess best practice from academia, industry, allies and partners on operating in demanding environments and ensure all Defence Lines of Development are suitably adapted to continue to allow UK Armed Forces to operate effectively across more extreme climatic conditions over the coming decades. It should …
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Defence should undertake research and assess best practice from academia, industry, allies and partners on operating in demanding environments and ensure all Defence Lines of Development are suitably adapted to continue to allow UK Armed Forces to operate effectively across more extreme climatic conditions over the coming decades. It should also push hard to reduce carbon emissions from its equipment, without eroding military capability.
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Government response AI summary
The government detailed extensive ongoing work, including proactive engagement with academia, industry, and allies to assess best practices, and the transfer of assessment tools. It also highlighted existing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, such as the Net Zero Aviation Strategy, fitting new vessels with reduction …
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Ministry of Defence
4
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
The Ministry of Defence should set out the balance of investment opportunities around accelerating the fitting of low-carbon energy sources to the defence estate in the UK and abroad to achieve ‘estate net zero’ by 2030. Although this will require additional initial capital outlay, it should reduce whole-life costs and …
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The Ministry of Defence should set out the balance of investment opportunities around accelerating the fitting of low-carbon energy sources to the defence estate in the UK and abroad to achieve ‘estate net zero’ by 2030. Although this will require additional initial capital outlay, it should reduce whole-life costs and carbon emissions and increase Defence’s energy resilience and self-sufficiency.
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines that it has already amended building standards, is undertaking current activities like 'no regrets' asset actions, site-based energy campaigns, solar PV installations, and implementing energy management systems, all contributing to the public sector's Net Zero by 2050 pathway.
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Ministry of Defence
5
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
This balance of investment analysis should also be applied to the housing stock as, in conjunction with wider upgrades, it could enhance the living conditions of Service personnel and their families, thereby improving retention.
Government response AI summary
The government committed to undertaking a significant accommodation investment strategy review, incorporating Net Zero and energy factors, which is planned to conclude by the end of 2023.
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Ministry of Defence
6
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
The Ministry of Defence should assess whether continued reductions in the size of the Armed Forces will likely result in Defence accepting fewer MACA tasks requested by Government over the coming decades, and if so should ensure wider Government is fully aware of the implications of this, including the need …
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The Ministry of Defence should assess whether continued reductions in the size of the Armed Forces will likely result in Defence accepting fewer MACA tasks requested by Government over the coming decades, and if so should ensure wider Government is fully aware of the implications of this, including the need for alternative non-regular- forces capacity. (Paragraph 48) Defence as a global leader for tackling climate change
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Government response AI summary
The government has commissioned DSTL to undertake a review of Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) activity, due for completion by end 2023. This review will assess historical engagement, future predictions based on climate change, and operational risks, …
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Ministry of Defence
7
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Acknowledged
Undertaking the role of global leader is not easy. Rear Admiral Paul Beattie, Director Naval Staff, Royal Navy, recently described the measures necessary for climate change adaption in the military as the “… biggest change programme in defence”. He noted that, unusually for technology, countries “can’t look to the US” …
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Undertaking the role of global leader is not easy. Rear Admiral Paul Beattie, Director Naval Staff, Royal Navy, recently described the measures necessary for climate change adaption in the military as the “… biggest change programme in defence”. He noted that, unusually for technology, countries “can’t look to the US” for global leadership and that some were therefore looking to the UK. However, such a role 32 Defence and Climate Change requires considerable resources, and time, so was not a decision to be taken lightly. Influencing with UK partners through international organisations such as NATO and the UN could provide a helpful approach.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges NATO's new methodology for greenhouse gas emissions and commits to remaining actively engaged with NATO initiatives to influence and share experiences on emissions data collection and improvement.
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Ministry of Defence
8
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
The Ministry of Defence should work with other UK government partners to encourage the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to update their reporting framework so emissions from military fuel use and other activities are set out in National Inventory Reports. The …
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The Ministry of Defence should work with other UK government partners to encourage the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to update their reporting framework so emissions from military fuel use and other activities are set out in National Inventory Reports. The Ministry of Defence should also urge NATO to increase its transparency and publish its methodology for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that military fuel use emissions are already included in the UK's National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory and published in MOD's Annual Report, with the MOD continuing to work on reporting. It also noted that NATO has already published its greenhouse gas emissions methodology, …
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Ministry of Defence
9
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Rejected
Measuring and reporting against the total defence carbon emission figure would support both the Government’s agenda of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, but also provide a gold standard of military emissions reporting for other countries to emulate. Good practice would be to ensure these figures are independently verified.
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Measuring and reporting against the total defence carbon emission figure would support both the Government’s agenda of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, but also provide a gold standard of military emissions reporting for other countries to emulate. Good practice would be to ensure these figures are independently verified.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it already publishes emissions data in its Annual Report and Accounts and re-baselined in FY21-22 to capture more directly influenced emissions, with its methodology verified internally. However, it explicitly states there are no plans to independently verify its emission reporting and it …
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Ministry of Defence
10
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Rejected
The Ministry of Defence should return to publishing a more in-depth, stand-alone annual review of its climate and sustainability performance, with independent verification of emissions measuring and reporting. It should commission work to better understand total defence carbon emissions. It should also explain the apparent discrepancy in reporting overall emission …
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The Ministry of Defence should return to publishing a more in-depth, stand-alone annual review of its climate and sustainability performance, with independent verification of emissions measuring and reporting. It should commission work to better understand total defence carbon emissions. It should also explain the apparent discrepancy in reporting overall emission figures in 2019–20 and again in 2020–21, and then reporting those same (now historic) figures again in the 2021–22 Annual Report but with values that have increased by over 40%. (Paragraph 67) Defence’s contribution to ‘net zero’
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Government response AI summary
The government explains the discrepancy in reported emissions figures as due to a re-baselining in FY21-22 that expanded the scope of reporting. However, it explicitly states there are currently no plans to return to a stand-alone annual review of its climate and sustainability performance.
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Ministry of Defence
11
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
The Ministry of Defence is in line to achieve its Greening Government Commitments’ carbon reduction targets early, but these are insufficiently demanding. It appears that the Ministry can meet its targets entirely by taking advantage of the decarbonisation of the National Grid. Targets are hardly stretching if they can be …
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The Ministry of Defence is in line to achieve its Greening Government Commitments’ carbon reduction targets early, but these are insufficiently demanding. It appears that the Ministry can meet its targets entirely by taking advantage of the decarbonisation of the National Grid. Targets are hardly stretching if they can be met without any effort, especially for a department that produces half of all central government emissions. For the next round of Greening Government Commitments from 2025– 2030, Defence should ensure its targets are more demanding and accompanied by plans to achieve them.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that for the 2021-25 Greening Government Commitments, Defence agreed a 10% direct emission reduction target against a 2017-18 baseline. Furthermore, MOD officials are actively working with DEFRA and cross-government colleagues on designing the new set of GGCs for 2025-2030, aiming to shape …
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Ministry of Defence
12
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Rejected
We welcome the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to expand coverage of carbon emissions, but more needs to be achieved to ensure all Defence emissions are measured. Best commercial practice for promoting emissions reductions and net-zero targets are the Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi), which can also apply to major suppliers …
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We welcome the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to expand coverage of carbon emissions, but more needs to be achieved to ensure all Defence emissions are measured. Best commercial practice for promoting emissions reductions and net-zero targets are the Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi), which can also apply to major suppliers along with carbon reduction plans. The Ministry of Defence, therefore, should look to adopt Science-Based Targets initiative-approved measures for Defence and major suppliers, and develop carbon reduction plans for major suppliers.
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Government response AI summary
The government explicitly states it is not planning on using Science Based Targets (SBT) for Defence, citing potential undermining of capabilities. While major suppliers were already obliged to publish climate reduction plans from September 2021 under PPN 06/21, HMG guidance states SBTs are not aligned …
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Ministry of Defence
13
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Accepted
We note with interest the RAF setting itself a demanding target for reducing carbon emissions—a decade ahead of the Government’s 2050 goal—and look forward to examining the detailed plan for how it will be achieved. The RAF has also set out clear milestones towards achieving its 2040 ambition, aiming for …
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We note with interest the RAF setting itself a demanding target for reducing carbon emissions—a decade ahead of the Government’s 2050 goal—and look forward to examining the detailed plan for how it will be achieved. The RAF has also set out clear milestones towards achieving its 2040 ambition, aiming for a net zero airbase by 2025 and a net zero RAF estate by 2030, but milestones are not plans and Defence and Climate Change 33 programmes. We have not seen similar plans setting out milestones and targets for all other Top-Level Budget holders and enabling organisations to achieve net zero by 2050.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Royal Navy is focused on setting ambitious emissions reduction targets for the next 10 years and limiting mid-term impacts. For the Army, further work is required to fully establish operational emissions and carbon sequestration potential, while departmental work on understanding …
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Ministry of Defence
14
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Acknowledged
Nor do the various organisations within Defence separately report their emissions publicly, so gauging progress towards their targets is not yet possible. Top-Level Budget holders and other significant enabling organisations should report their emissions separately starting with the 2023–24 Annual Report & Accounts, with emission reduction targets ideally set over …
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Nor do the various organisations within Defence separately report their emissions publicly, so gauging progress towards their targets is not yet possible. Top-Level Budget holders and other significant enabling organisations should report their emissions separately starting with the 2023–24 Annual Report & Accounts, with emission reduction targets ideally set over 5-year periods to match the GGC plan.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to assessing whether Top Level Budget holder and Enabling Organisations' emissions should also be reported as part of the Department’s Annual Reports and Accounts, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve emissions reporting.
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Ministry of Defence
15
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Deferred
Given increasing scientific concerns around failing to hold to the 1.5° limit on warming and the need for Defence to transition from establishing a comprehensive baseline of carbon emissions in Epoch 1 to significantly reducing emissions in Epoch 2, having the climate change director also responsible for the Union and …
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Given increasing scientific concerns around failing to hold to the 1.5° limit on warming and the need for Defence to transition from establishing a comprehensive baseline of carbon emissions in Epoch 1 to significantly reducing emissions in Epoch 2, having the climate change director also responsible for the Union and Levelling-Up in the Ministry of Defence may be too distracting for the important work that needs to be achieved at pace.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response for this conclusion consists only of a page reference and provides no substantive comment on the committee's observation that the dual responsibility of the climate change director may be too distracting.
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Ministry of Defence
16
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Cha…
Rejected
The Ministry of Defence should appoint a dedicated climate change director who would be able to fully focus on coordinating carbon reductions across the whole of Defence, including holding separate commands and organisations to account for progress in reducing emissions against their individual goals and measuring and reporting that progress …
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The Ministry of Defence should appoint a dedicated climate change director who would be able to fully focus on coordinating carbon reductions across the whole of Defence, including holding separate commands and organisations to account for progress in reducing emissions against their individual goals and measuring and reporting that progress in a timely manner. (Paragraph 94) 34 Defence and Climate Change
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to appoint a dedicated climate change director, stating that the existing Levelling Up, Union, Climate Change and Sustainability (LUCCS) Directorate already coordinates these areas, and that combining these responsibilities brings together the three pillars of sustainability within the MOD.
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Ministry of Defence