Eighth Report - Defence and Climate Change
Select Committee
Defence Committee
HC 179
18 August 2023
Government response
First Special Report - Defence and Climate Change · published 8 Nov 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
9
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 66
Measuring total defence carbon emissions provides a gold standard for military reporting.
Conclusion
Measuring and reporting against the total defence carbon emission figure would support both the Government’s agenda of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, but also provide a gold standard of military emissions reporting for other countries to emulate. Good …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it already publishes emissions data in its Annual Report and Accounts and re-baselined in FY21-22 to capture more directly influenced emissions, with its methodology verified internally. However, it explicitly states there are no plans to independently verify its emission reporting and it does not currently capture Scope 3 emissions from industrial partners, thus not fully meeting the "total" aspect.
Ministry of Defence
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10
Recommendation
Rejected
Publish in-depth annual review of Defence climate performance and explain reporting discrepancies.
Recommendation
The Ministry of Defence should return to publishing a more in-depth, stand-alone annual review of its climate and sustainability performance, with independent verification of emissions measuring and reporting. It should commission work to better understand total defence carbon emissions. It …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains the discrepancy in reported emissions figures as due to a re-baselining in FY21-22 that expanded the scope of reporting. However, it explicitly states there are currently no plans to return to a stand-alone annual review of its climate and sustainability performance.
Ministry of Defence
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12
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 86
Adopt Science-Based Targets for Defence and develop carbon reduction plans for suppliers.
Conclusion
We welcome the Ministry of Defence’s efforts to expand coverage of carbon emissions, but more needs to be achieved to ensure all Defence emissions are measured. Best commercial practice for promoting emissions reductions and net-zero targets are the Science Based …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly states it is not planning on using Science Based Targets (SBT) for Defence, citing potential undermining of capabilities. While major suppliers were already obliged to publish climate reduction plans from September 2021 under PPN 06/21, HMG guidance states SBTs are not aligned with these requirements.
Ministry of Defence
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16
Conclusion
Rejected
Appoint a dedicated Ministry of Defence climate change director for focused decarbonisation coordination.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Defence should appoint a dedicated climate change director who would be able to fully focus on coordinating carbon reductions across the whole of Defence, including holding separate commands and organisations to account for progress in reducing emissions …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to appoint a dedicated climate change director, stating that the existing Levelling Up, Union, Climate Change and Sustainability (LUCCS) Directorate already coordinates these areas, and that combining these responsibilities brings together the three pillars of sustainability within the MOD.
Ministry of Defence
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