The defense sector has long been a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, and now, according to Dr. Shr-Yi Chin, an expert in sustainability and carbon management, it’s time for the industry to face the challenge head-on. Speaking on the topic of sustainability, he emphasized the urgent need for the defense industry to take serious action toward reducing its carbon footprint, which is responsible for a significant portion of many nations’ overall emissions. Dr. Chin highlighted the substantial role defense operations play in exacerbating climate change, noting that military activities, from logistics and equipment production to energy consumption, are major sources of greenhouse gases. The US Department of Defense, for example, emits more than 56 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, with 60% of those emissions coming from vehicles, aircraft, and ships. This is a common theme across militaries worldwide, where defense emissions frequently account for over 50% of government totals. These emissions, Chin warned, could severely impact a country’s ability to meet its international climate targets under frameworks like the Paris Agreement . Credit: AFP A Hidden Challenge: Carbon Footprints and National Security However, Dr. Chin pointed out that the defense sector faces a unique dilemma. Disclosing carbon emissions might inadvertently reveal strategic military information, as analysts could potentially reverse-engineer the data to gain insights into the production and deployment of military assets. This conflict between maintaining operational security and the need for transparency in carbon emissions creates a complex challenge for policymakers. He suggested that advanced carbon management systems could help address this issue, allowing for reduced emissions without compromising security. On the international stage, Europe has taken notable steps to tackle this issue. Dr. Chin praised the European Union’s efforts, such as the EU Horizon Program and the Sustainable Energy Investment Forum, which focus […]