Defence

The challenge

Today, the overall emissions of the Danish defence sector are approximately 254,000 tons CO2e. The defence sector covers a wide range of elements across most sectors. It is both an operator of aircrafts, ships, and vehicles, as well as a transportation and logistics organisation and an education facility. Furthermore, it is a landowner and a building administrator.

At the same time, defence forces need to function under the most difficult and dangerous conditions. Since it needs to wor...

At the same time, defence forces need to function under the most difficult and dangerous conditions. Since it needs to work both in times of peace and crises, the dilemma is how to reduce emissions and at the same time increase operational efficiency, security of supply and enhance the safety of soldiers.

The potential

The potential is not yet defined.

To date, the Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concentrated its green transition initiatives within the ministerial department, the MoD Estate Agency and the MoD Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, and only to a very limited degree in Defence Command Denmark, the Home Guard and the Emergency Management Agency. A climate action plan and annual climate accounts have been prepared. The accounts are based on available data but not broken down by act...

The potential is not yet defined.

The MoD currently has no general strategy that sets targets and a direction for activities on Defence as a whole, nor does it contribute to the annual reports on the government’s climate initiatives, which take stock of climate progress in Danish state organisations.

Recommendations

Alternative propellants – a foundation for the armed forces of the future

In the future, the Danish Defence must use Power-to-X-based fuels for propulsion and must therefore be linked to current private sector initiatives intended to build production and supplies.
Until the Power-to-X technology matures, the Danish Defence must test the use of alternatives such as bio-fuels via the advances taking place in the civilian aviation industry and the maritime domain.
The consequences of conversion to alternatives must be clarified.

A green, energy-efficient and sustainable navy

Existing platforms must be optimised using tools from the civilian sector
It must be clarified if experience from optimising navy vessels – using both civilian and military expertise – can be used as an ‘export commodity’ based on a given model.
A long-term strategy is to be prepared for how Danish design, energy optimisation and ship production can make the Danish navy greener by 2050 and generate export opportunities.

Simulation as a Danish stronghold

Denmark must develop new sophisticated opportunities for using simulation and virtual reality as an alternative or supplement to live training and education.
The use of simulation and virtual reality technology must be combined with the development of new learning concepts that ensure maximum, effective training transfer. The solutions should be internationally promoted.

Promotion of green operational concepts such as ‘green camps’

A concept should be designed for setting up green camps that as far as possible are self-sufficient in water, electricity, circular waste management, etc.
Ways of enabling the MoD to take on and jointly operate other green operational concepts with industry should be explored.

Innovation and research – increase green co-financing

It is recommended that further funds be injected into the MoD’s co-financing scheme for research and development and earmarked for promoting green solutions.
It is also recommended that established innovation networks for green defence be used for purposes such as addressing challenges or ideas in the green arena

Optimised transport can make a difference

Existing administrative vehicles are to be replaced with electric ones, and an infrastructure to support their operation is to be established.
Heavy transport is to be made more efficient, with inspiration from developments in the civilian sector.
The armed forces should follow the civilian sector’s development of future transport options (incl. drones, etc).

Optimisation of buildings and premises

The ESCO model is to be used to optimise buildings, where savings generated finance private consultancy and implementation of measures to reduce energy consumption and CO₂
The construction and operation and maintenance of new buildings is to be managed by new types of public-private partnerships with focus on optimisation, financing and efficient use.

Climate and environmental requirements for all purchas-es and supply chains

Introduce environmental and climate requirements for all procurement, prioritise green profile in the tender processes, and examine the climate impact of acquisitions.

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The climate partnership for Defence

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