US Army Rolls Out First-Ever Climate Plan, Aiming For Net-Zero Emissions By 2050

The US Army has unveiled its first-ever climate strategy that aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% in 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

This ambitious goal will require the organization to work on several initiatives, according to CNN.

They will include increasing fuel efficiency, opting for more electric vehicles, and modernizing “operational power generation, battery storage, land management, procurement, and supply chain resilience.” 

Emphasis on being more sustainable came to the forefront of the army when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took over in January 2021, pledging that there would be “immediate” developments to take “appropriate policy actions to prioritize climate change considerations.” 

“Climate change threatens America’s security and is altering the geostrategic landscape as we know it,” said Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army.

“For today’s soldiers operating in extreme temperature environments, fighting wildfires, and supporting hurricane recovery, climate change isn’t a distant future, it is a reality,” she added.

As per Interesting Engineering, beginning in 2024, the Army will publish its best practices and climate change efforts every two years as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions from its training programs by 2028.

Additionally, workforce training programs will include lessons on climate change by 2028, so that all operational and strategic exercises conducted will include risk and threat assessments in relation to the topic. 

By 2035, the Army hopes all personnel in strategic headquarters will have advanced credentials and profound knowledge of climate change topics, in order to better lead initiatives going forward.

“The time to address climate change is now. The effects of climate change have taken a toll on supply chains, damaged our infrastructure, and increased risks to Army soldiers and their families due to natural disasters and extreme weather,” remarked Wormuth. 

[via CNN and Interesting Engineering, cover image via Cateyeperspective | Dreamstime.com]