According to the European Defence Agency’s ‘EDA On the Record: Energy & Defence’, the European defence sector is a first category consumer of energy in Europe, similar to the consumption of a small EU member state. In this context and in light of the European ambitions for climate neutrality by 2050 it is important for the European armed forces to take all the necessary steps to reduce their footprint in energy. The 2015 Paris Agreement does not make specific reference to the defence sector, leaving it open for the military to decide on how to reach its CO2 targets separately. Of the 27 Member States, France was the most ambitious in adopting a clear Defence Energy Strategy with 34 recommendations to reduce and optimise the energy consumption of its armed forces and to enhance its energy security. Germany has also released its first report on the topic of improving the energy consumption in the military sector.

CESI, through its Expert Commission ‘Defence’, advocates in favour of energy professionals to join armed forces in light of reaching collectively the Union’s carbon neutrality targets. It emphasises the need for consultation with representatives of armed forces in order to mitigate ways to reach those targets without putting pressure on the missions in place or jeopardizing other capabilities the army might need in order to conduct their military or humanitarian operations. It believes that the EEAS’ Roadmap, which the European Parliament report refers to, remains too vague in its approach on how to find and adopt cost-competitive renewable energy and alternative fuels in the armed forces.

Thomas Sohst, President of the CESI expert commission ‘Defence’ underlined: “Armed forces are an integral part of our societies and as always the citizens-in-uniform will go above and beyond to serve the new European climate objectives. In order for this green transition to succeed, representatives of military and civilian armed forces should be more included through consultation and demand for expertise in the decision-making of policies and their implementation. Representatives of armed forces know already and operate under extreme climate conditions and know what best solutions there are in order to mitigate these challenges and ensure a green transition for its sector.”

The full report, as adopted by the European Parliament, is available here.