Recommendations & Conclusions
9 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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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, …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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 …
Government response. 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, …
Ministry of Defence