A number of reports suggest exceptionally high rates of greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and use of non-renewable resources from the defence sector. The sector itself now recognizes that climate change, particularly in the form of the increasing number of extreme weather events, rising sea levels and desertification can potentially accelerate insecurity and armed conflict.

Since defence accounts for 50% of UK, and 80% of US, government greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decarbonisation of the defence sector is also vital to achieve the UK and US Governments’ Net Zero ambitions. Defence organisations in the US, UK and beyond are now addressing sustainability in recent reports, statements, innovations and strategies.  However, worker voices are largely absent in this process.

This study highlights the views of a cross-section of current and former defence workers on transitioning the defence sector to environmental sustainability in the UK and USA. It is framed by the ethos of Just Transition, a call for securing workers' and communities' rights and livelihoods when shifting to sustainable production. Within the Just Transition framework, this project focuses on 'decarbonisation' and 'diversification' as two key processes that are particularly relevant to defence.

The project was led Dr Karen Bell, and carried out by researchers at University of Glasgow, California State University, University of Bristol and Cornell University.

See the policy briefing and full report on the Decarbonising Defence website

First published: 22 March 2022

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