Army Releases Climate Strategy Implementation Plan

October 5, 2022 by Dan McCue
Army Releases Climate Strategy Implementation Plan
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Samuel Northrup, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army released a comprehensive plan on Wednesday aimed at reducing the future impacts and risks on its installations and fighting forces associated with climate change.

Senior Army leaders have long been concerned that the effects of climate change and extreme weather are becoming increasingly more significant on installations, missions and operations.

Designed to complement the previously released Army Climate Strategy, officials say the new Climate Strategy Implementation Plan is another step in the Army’s decadeslong effort to combat climate change in support of the nation’s security interests.

“Climate change poses unique challenges to U.S. national interests and the Army at all levels,” the plan says in its introductory pages. Observed changes in today’s environment increase demands on the U.S. military and risks the Army’s ability to train, deploy, fight and win the nation’s wars. 

“All Army components and organizations are addressing climate change under current authorities, however, these efforts have not, until now, been aligned in one plan to optimize effectiveness and efficiency,” it continues.

“As extreme weather becomes commonplace, the Army must adapt its installations, acquisition programs, and training so that the Army can operate in this changing environment and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth in a written statement. 

“This climate implementation plan will improve our resiliency and readiness in the face of these changes,” she said.

The plan was developed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, and was coordinated with the Army Staff and Army Commands.

It was predicated on four key assumptions:

First, that changes in human behavior can mitigate both the magnitude and severity of the negative consequences resulting from climate change.

Second, that the Army will continue to prioritize its operations, activities, investments and policies based on available funding. Simply put, the Army will not be able to afford to do everything it could do, and therefore must prioritize what it will do.

Third, that the quantity of commodities, raw materials and other products available through market supply chains will be sufficient to meet the Army’s prioritized requirements for as long as the current plan remains in place.

Fourth, that emerging technologies will produce systems that are designed to be more efficient, increase the use of renewable energy and reduce Army greenhouse gas emissions.

“This Army Climate Strategy Implementation Plan is an imperative document for the Army as we improve installation sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and extreme weather threats,” said Rachel Jacobson, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

“It will guide how we make decisions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the Army and in addressing risks to our people and lands,” Jacobson said.

She said the implementation plan will position Army installations and supply chains to better withstand extreme weather, improve training relevance in a changing world and help soldiers fulfill their missions under the harshest conditions.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue

A+
a-
  • Army Climate Strategy
  • climate
  • climate change
  • military
  • US Army
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Military

    Harris Repudiates Trump Worldview and Says the US Won't Back Down on Ukraine's Defense

    MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday warned of the dangers of growing authoritarianism and isolationism in a... Read More

    MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday warned of the dangers of growing authoritarianism and isolationism in a not-so-veiled repudiation of Donald Trump’s worldview and threats to renege on security guarantees for NATO allies should he return to the White House. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Harris offered... Read More

    Biden to Attend Dignified Transfer for Three US Troops Killed in Jordan

    WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will join grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on... Read More

    WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will join grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on Friday to honor three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan, a solemn ritual that has become relatively uncommon in recent years as the... Read More

    Defense Department to Target 'Forever Chemicals' Contamination Near Michigan Military Base

    The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to... Read More

    The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from so-called forever chemicals, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin's office announced Friday. Environmentalists say the systems will help prevent PFAS from spreading into the Clarks... Read More

    Hamas Frees First Batch of Hostages Under Temporary Cease-Fire, Including 13 Israelis

    RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks,... Read More

    RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks, including 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and a Filipino citizen, according to Qatar and other officials, in the first stage in a swap for Palestinians... Read More

    Live Updates | Cease-Fire Pleas and Israel-Hamas Recriminations Rise in Wake of Gaza Hospital Blast

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader... Read More

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader regional conflict and to encourage the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The president's visit on Wednesday came after hundreds of people were reported killed... Read More

    US Announces Sanctions Against Group of 10 Hamas Members and Financial Network

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant organization's financial network across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria and Qatar as it responds to the surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 people dead or kidnapped.... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top