International Military Council on Climate and Security’s Post

The annual World Climate and Security Report of the International Military Council on Climate and Security has just been released. Together with colleagues from The Center for Climate and Security Planetary Security Initiative and IRIS - Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques we HCSS - The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies have been working on a report focused on military innovation that can support climate-proofing of NATO militaries. The chapter that Irina Patrahau and I worked on, titled “The evolving character of war: Leveraging technological innovation in a changing operational environment” takes the first steps toward an inclusive analysis of the future of warfare that integrates considerations of military decarbonization in the broader scope of technological, geopolitical, and security trends that affect military operations, including climate change. With special thanks to our contributors: Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE Laura Birkman Davis H. Ellison, Tom Draaijer and Miriam Sainato The report can be accessed below!

- THE WORLD CLIMATE AND SECURITY REPORT 2024 -  🌍MILITARY INNOVATION AND THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE Read the report ➡️ https://cutt.ly/wegVkIgY This report is the product of the Expert Group of the International Military Council on Climate and Security, in collaboration with The Center for Climate and Security, HCSS - The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, Planetary Security Initiative and IRIS - Institut de relations internationales et stratégiques. IRIS contributors to the report : Julia Tasse & Sami Ramdani It analyzes the urgency of climate change for militaries and explores how military research and innovation might enable both emissions reduction and greater resilience of infrastructure and operations to climate impacts while improving the self-sufficiency of military units and facilities. While the report should be useful to militaries around the world, its recommendations focus on #NATO member state militaries.

WORLD CLIMATE AND SECURITY REPORT 2024 With climate impacts accelerating and the energy transition underway, militaries are increasingly considering the carbon footprint of their operations, infrastructure, and supply chains. Today, though there are gaps in measuring, reporting, and reducing these emissions, many countries already have initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the efficiency of their militaries. This report analyzes the urgency of climate change for militaries and explores how military research and innovation might enable both emissions reduction and greater resilience of infrastructure and operations to climate impacts while improving the self-sufficiency of military units and facilities. While the report should be useful to militaries around the world, its recommendations focus on NATO member state militaries. https://lnkd.in/engxsd-6

On July 10, 2024, the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) has presented, on the side-lines of the 2024 #NATOSummit in Washington, its annual "World Climate and Security Report". This year's iteration focuses on innovation opportunities for NATO militaries to support the clean #energytransition and emissions reductions. This is a product of the IMCCS Expert Group, born from the cooperation between PSI, HCSS - The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, The Center for Climate and Security and IRIS - Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques. PSI's Emil Havstrup and Louise van Schaik, together with Lennaert Jonkers, contributed to the report by writing its fourth chapter, titled "Sustainable Security: Reducing Emissions in Military Supply Chains", which delves into the study of military #supplychains and suggests innovative ways to tackle the #carbonfootprint of the defence sector at its origins. The chapter explores viable opportunities and actions for policymakers to address supply chain #emissions and support #climatemitigation efforts. On top of this, it investigates promising #innovations and business ecosystem dynamics to integrate more sustainable technologies into #defence products and practices. Read the full report and the specific chapter by PSI researchers, to find out more about these opportunities. https://lnkd.in/dRgqrwg4

Last month a chapter that I authored on military supply chain emissions, alongside Louise van Schaik and Lennaert Jonkers, was published in the annual International Military Council on Climate and Security World Climate Security Report. Our chapter "Sustainable Security: Reducing Emissions in Military Supply Chains", discusses the critical need to #decarbonize #military efforts, especially amid rising defense spending. We found that militaries have significant influence as a major consumer of carbon intensive goods, and that #carbonneutrality goals will be impossible to meet if this sector is not decarbonized. Militaries can reap benefits from embracing the #greentransition and the potential #innovations which accompany it. Our main takeaways are: 🔵 The full scope of military emissions is still not entirely understood or documented. We still lack data, especially when it comes to reporting on supply chain emissions. 🔵 There is significant potential for innovation within military supply chains, particularly through strategic partnerships and ecosystem collaboration. 🔵By adopting innovative technologies and collaborative approaches, the defense sector can significantly reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining operational effectiveness. You can read the full report using the link below: https://lnkd.in/e4iWR3wB #decarbonizeddefense #climatesecurity #emissions #climatemitigation #defensesector #defenseindustry

Last week, world leaders and #defence professionals have met at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington D.C., where they discussed issues such as the war in #Ukraine, the Eastern flank, deterrence and innovation. Here is an overview of all the news, events and publications related to #climatesecurity that were linked to the Summit. - The summit has been the occasion for the presentation of the Secretary General's annual Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment report, which examines the impact of #climatechange on each of NATO’s operating domains. - The International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) presented its annual "World Climate and Security Report", which focuses on innovation opportunities for NATO militaries to support the clean #energytransition and #emissions reductions. - The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) completed its accreditation process at the NATO Summit. - Climate change as a topic was featured in the Summit Declaration: paragraph 34 stresses the importance of #adaptability to climate impacts and supporting the energy transition. Read more about these and other news through the link below. https://lnkd.in/dBkSrSG2

The carbon footprint of military conflicts. Military conflicts, including destroying the existing energy supply infrastructure, and causing significant damage to the parties involved in the conflict, continue to pollute the atmosphere throughout the planet. During the first 60 days of the war, more than 281 thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide were generated in the Gaza Strip due to the actions of aircraft, tanks, missiles and artillery. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has led to more than 150 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, which is about three times higher than New York's annual carbon dioxide pollution. Conflict and Environment Observatory states that the military may account for about 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. military-industrial complex, which competes with annual carbon dioxide emissions from countries such as Norway or Sweden, accounts for the lion's share of emissions. According to the British Military Emissions Gap project, many countries continue to underestimate the actual emissions from the military-industrial complex. #emission #carbonemissions #decarbonisation #netzero #carbondioxide https://lnkd.in/dfpJ-Kuu

https://lnkd.in/ebFCMK65 https://lnkd.in/eFJPRqh5 Climate Impact Assessment of Russia’s War Against Ukraine Military conflict is a significant driver of climate change and environmental damage. Russia’s war of aggression is a vivid example: In addition to human suffering, the invasion has had devastating climate and environmental impacts, with far-reaching consequences across Ukraine and beyond its borders. While estimates vary, analysts suggest that up to 175 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 e) were released during the first 24 months of the war (see figure below).101 Wildfires caused by attacks on oil deposits, tankers, refineries, and other hostile activities have consumed fields and forests, releasing additional emissions into the atmosphere and reducing the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks.102 Concurrently, airspace restrictions over Ukraine (and Russia) increased the aviation sector’s carbon footprint from civilian aircraft flying longer and more fuel-inefficient routes. The total climate damage is estimated at more than USD 32 billion.103 Equally concerning is Russia flaring off natural gas, releasing approximately 9,000 tonnes of CO2 e per day, as a result of the market conditions created by its unprovoked invasion.104 It is estimated that post-war reconstruction might constitute the largest overall source of GHG emissions linked to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.105 Ukraine’s recovery from the conflict will necessitate rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, public buildings and industrial sites across the country – and, in the most devastated regions, entire cities. The scale of this necessary reconstruction, particularly concrete and cement production, may produce a substantial amount of additional emissions.106 Ensuring that postwar reconstruction and recovery follows a green direction will be essential for Ukraine’s economic recovery, as well as for its national and environmental security. Both Ukraine and its international partners share this vision. 

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are setting up to be the scene of a climate experiment for ocean-based carbon removal. A mineral called olivine, could enhance the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. @Vesta is now the first company with a federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deploy a stand-alone carbon removal test in U.S. waters. Ocean-based carbon removal is an emerging area worth following as it has the potemtial to make important climate contributions in the future. #CarbonRemoval #BlueEconomy https://lnkd.in/g_hg4xUh