As climate change accelerates, its impacts are being felt across every sector, including military infrastructure. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events and increasing temperatures pose significant threats to the operational readiness, security and longevity of military installations. These challenges not only jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of critical facilities but also place immense financial strain on defense budgets.
In the latest issue brief released by the Government Business Council and Gordian, “Fortifying the Force: Robust Resilience in Military Installations,” the cost of climate change as it relates to military installations is discussed at length. Here is an overview of some key data points that highlights the damaging impacts extreme weather events are already having on these facilities, as well as what is projected for the future.
This figure was released in 2018. With the rapid progression of climate change, even more military facilities will be considered at-risk in the coming years.
Each consecutive month broke heat records from previous years. According to Climate.gov, 2023 was 2.12 °F (1.18 °C) above the 20th-century average of 57.0°F (13.9°C), and 2.43 °F (1.35 °C) above the pre-industrial average (1850-1900).
Additionally, $3.47 billion in FY24 budget appropriations was granted to strengthen operational climate and energy resiliency at military installations. Figures like these show the massive expense that both natural disaster rebuilding and preparedness have on the military.
In the not-so-distant future, every branch of the military will feel the weight of the costs related to climate change. Totaled up, it is expected that military installations will spend roughly $387 billion over the next 25 years to fight the impacts – both proactively and reactively – of weather-related disasters.
Despite the seemingly dismal outlook, actions are being taken by military facilities leaders to combat costs for the long-term. With the goal of building a resilient future, the Department of Defense (DoD) launched the Net-Zero Electrification Initiative. This initiative aims to achieve net-zero emissions and transition to electrification across its installations. It is also intended to not only make installations more sustainable and resilient to both climate and geopolitical shocks, but to reduce reliance on fuel and natural gas supply lines that may be vulnerable.
To learn more about the impact of climate change on military installations, the Net-Zero Electrification Initiative and other resiliency measures being taken, download the “Fortifying the Force: Robust Resilience in Military Installations” brief today.
