Net Zero and sustainability go hand-in-hand with the defence sector’s priority of keeping people safe. Modernising defence infrastructure and making it ready for escalating climate challenges will make the sector truly resilient.
With the Ministry of Defence (MOD) committing to an ambitious decarbonisation strategy, a multi-faceted, holistic approach that addresses every aspect of military operations and infrastructure is essential. This includes adopting a circular approach to waste, looking at innovative closed-loop approaches to optimise resources; advancing sustainable water stewardship to safeguard water supplies; and embedding the latest technologies to future-proof defence estates.
Implementing a circular economy approach
To maintain optimal performance, the defence sector consumes substantial amounts of fuel, water and other resources. However, current geopolitical instability means there is a significant risk attached to maintaining resource resilience. Adopting a circular economy approach is both critical to achieve sustainable goals and for safeguarding vital resources.
Embedding circular approaches throughout the defence supply chain and across tier 1 and 2 partnerships, the MOD can transform waste materials back into resources, implement efficient energy and water management systems, and operate defence estates as connected ecosystems that maximise efficiency and resilience.
Protecting the local ecosystem and diversity
As one of the UK’s largest landowners, the MOD faces the need to consider biodiversity protection and enhancement at its sites. This can be achieved by creating biodiversity action plans for defence estates as well as incorporating nature-based solutions in land management practices to encourage wildlife, increase pollinators and contribute to clean air.
Enhancing water stewardship
Safeguarding the water supply for defence estates and communities is crucial for operational continuity, and for providing a functional home for those that live and work within defence estates. Increasing self-sufficiency through installing more on-site water treatment solutions can help to minimise risk and boost resilience. With water scarcity posing a particular challenge in certain areas, solutions such as water recycling and desalination projects can help the MOD to adopt more sustainable models of managing our most precious resource.
How Veolia can support a climate resilient defence sector
As a leader in resource management, Veolia offers a strategic partnership that can help the defence sector reach its sustainability and environmental resilience targets.
Energy management:
As Net Zero deadlines draw closer, defence estates need to be upgraded, implementing low-carbon, energy-efficient systems can enable the MOD and its supply chain to strengthen its environmental performance while optimising its assets. Carbon reduction solutions, infrastructure re-developments and building upgrades all provide energy security for the UK defence sector.
Hard Facilities management (Hard FM):
Energy and Hard FM go hand in hand to deliver decarbonisation solutions to optimise military installations. Veolia’s technical Hard FM service helps to manage assets and minimise disruption, while maximising value for money and efficiency for defence estates.
Water management:
Veolia provides specialist water and wastewater treatment for military installations, including water purification, sewage treatment, stormwater management, and emergency response. These solutions address issues such as water scarcity through sustainable management, converting by-products into bioresources for green energy generation, and conducting water sampling to manage micropollutants.
We can no longer ignore the need to decarbonise our infrastructure. As Net Zero approaches and resource security is needed more than ever, the UK defence sector needs to implement sustainable and resource resilient solutions. As a leader in sustainable solutions, a partnership with Veolia can ensure you implement a strategy that not only protects the planet but upgrades your facilities and enhances operational resilience.
Contact Veolia today to start implementing a resource resilient strategy.
Image: © Media Library VEOLIA – Christophe Daguet
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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