MoD’s plans to tackle climate change

THE MINISTRY of Defence (MoD) has set out its moves to tackle climate change, from green fuel for aircraft to planting trees on its estate.

As part of its environmental plans, the MoD said it would work to green its buildings and its rural estate, including developing small-scale woodlands, working with tenant farmers on wildlife friendly farming, and extending a “no mow” initiative.

It also aims to develop cleaner energy sources, including electric vehicles which could reduce emissions and add stealth, according to a new climate change and sustainability strategic approach document.

Work was already under way by the Armed Forces to tackle emissions, with the Royal Navy reducing nitrogen oxide output by 95 per cent on offshore vessel patrols and the RAF introducing more environmentally-friendly green fuel to power aircraft.

The department warned that climate change threatened peace, worsening competition for resources, health crises, civil unrest and mass migration.

The strategy document also said defence accounted for 50 per cent of UK central government emissions, and that there was a need to shift to green energy and at the same time respond to geopolitical and conflict-related threats which climate change exacerbated.

The MoD said it would contribute to the UK’s target to get overall emissions to net zero by 2050, which required cutting greenhouse gases as much as possible and taking steps such as planting trees to offset what remained.

Defence minister Jeremy Quin said yesterday: “The threat posed by climate change is one that affects us all and for defence, it will deeply impact the tasks our Armed Forces are called upon to undertake.”