Can the European Union strengthen its defence capacities without compromising its climate commitments? As the war in Ukraine and geopolitical tensions lead the EU to rearm, the question of a possible budgetary conflict with the green transition arises.
On Monday 28 April, the European think tank Bruegel published an analysis that qualifies the situation. Thus, without necessarily being in conflict, defence and climate policies can converge towards common interests.
On 4 March, the European Commission presented its ‘ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030’ plan (see EUROPE 13592/1), which aims to mobilise €800 billion for defence, bringing military spending to 3.5% of GDP. Meeting the climate targets would require an additional 2% of GDP.
While this tension is of concern to governments because of the burden it places on their public finances, Bruegel has identified seven areas where defence and climate issues can overlap, and where the policies can be mutually reinforcing.
The report refers to the transition to clean electricity, which would reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, a real weakness in times of conflict. The armed forces could also benefit from portable renewable systems, which would reduce their logistical dependence.
The development of low-carbon fuels also offers a strategic advantage.
The armed forces and heavy transport sectors, such as aviation and shipping, both need renewable, low-carbon fuels to reduce their dependence on oil.
As the analysis points out, the EU already holds 60% of the world’s patents in this field and has some of the most innovative companies. It can therefore develop these fuels on a large scale, both to ensure the energy autonomy of its armed forces and to make a success of the green transition in its transport.
The report stresses that incorporating environmental criteria into military procurement would stimulate green industry, without burdening the overall defence budget.
Furthermore, converting automotive infrastructures into military production plants would mitigate the consequences of the green transition.
Finally, Bruegel calls for concerted management of critical raw materials, coordinated innovation and joint preparation for climate and security crises.
The European Union is thus called upon to give greater consideration to an integrated defence-climate strategy.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/gkx (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)