Sustainability makes sense in defence

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But sustainable military operations and a greening strategy can be just different views of the same issues and information.  IFS Applications™ Eco-Footprint Management creates the linkage between reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in Defence Logistics support, improved sustainable procurement and optimum logistics footprint.

Operating in an eco-friendly manner is not just good for the environment—it can also reduce cost, improve profitability and sustain support to Military operations.

CUSTOMERS WANT PROOF…

The Stockholm Conference of 1972, organized under the auspices of the United Nations, placed environmental issues firmly in the international spotlight and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental politics.   Public consumer awareness is growing; and more public pressure is being placed upon governments, MODs, DoDs and the Aviation & Defence Industry to become more environmentally engaged.  This has been backed up by the implementation of Government wide Sustainable Procurement strategies, action plans and teams, and the setting of targets for reductions in emissions enshrined in legislation (such as Climate Change Acts). 

The presence of an ‘eco-label’ on a product certifies that its provenance, use and final destination have been planned with the environment in mind.  Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and ISO 14001 certification are examples of standards that are impacting the business-to-business and business-to-government markets.

Targets are now being disaggregated to industry, government departments, agencies and the Military—where governments will pay a premium for the goods they purchase; if they are satisfied that they are sourced, produced, transported and delivered according to ecologically sound practices.

…AS DO MILITARY STRATEGISTS

Strategists have now developed the linkage of sustainable military operations to a greening strategy—being different views of the same information.  The linkage is now established between reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, procurement considerations for sustainment of the environment, longevity of operations sustainment and operational procurement considerations.  It is not just about the CO2 emissions of a Leopard tank or F16 squadron and how that can be reduced through life— albeit a commendable objective in itself.  But, with military equipment being procured for extended periods issues are being raised on: which fuel it uses, how much fuel it uses, the logistics footprint it generates, what might the supply of fuel be in 30 years and how that should all be measured and optimized against targets?

…AS DO INVESTORS

Investor awareness is growing, too. As environmental awareness increases, the value of a company is measured in part by its ability and willingness to conduct its business in a sustainable manner.  In fact sustainability reports are becoming as natural a part of an annual report as the balance sheet and income statement. And the triple bottom line of ‘Planet—People—Profit’ is among the new ways of determining an organization’s value as defined by the Global Reporting Initiative.

The challenge…

Information is the challenge; because without enterprise solutions enabling the setting of the parameters to be measured and managed, against targets; then meeting any legislation becomes a daunting if not impossible task. 

…The SOLUTION

IFS Eco-Footprint Management—SUSTAINABILITY MAKES SENSE IN DEFENCE