UK military GHG emissions and the Greening Government Commitments

The paper argues that the MOD is on track to meet its 2025 GGC targets primarily because they are 'weak and undemanding' and benefit from the general decarbonisation of the UK national electricity grid. It highlights that GGCs only cover estate emissions, excluding two-thirds of the MOD's total emissions from military 'capability' such as warships and aircraft. The author recommends significantly higher targets for 2030, including a 90% reduction in overall estate emissions and the inclusion of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in future targets.

• The MOD is likely to meet its 2025 GGC targets, but this is attributed to the targets being 'weak and undemanding' rather than proactive departmental progress. Specifically, the target for 'overall' GHG emissions from military bases is so lax that it would be achieved even if the MOD took no action, as reductions are driven by the decarbonisation of the UK's national electricity grid.
• The GGC targets are limited in scope, covering only MOD estates such as military bases and administrative buildings. They exclude GHG emissions from military 'capability'—including combat planes, warships, and armoured vehicles—which account for two-thirds of the MOD's GHG emissions. For the 2021-22 financial year, GGC-covered emissions were 0.96 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), while total emissions including capability fuel use were 2.9 MtCO2e.
• The MOD's progress in reducing direct (scope 1) estate emissions is considered low, with annual average reductions of 2% over four years. This is at the lower end of the 1.75% to 4.25% annual reduction range suggested for the Heat and Buildings sector in the government's 'Powering Up Britain' strategy.
• Progress in transport emissions is likely overstated due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Furthermore, the MOD's fleet of ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEVs) grew from 0.2% in 2019 to 9% in 2022, failing to meet the GGC sub-target of 25% by the end of 2022.
• The author proposes a set of recommended 2030 GGC targets relative to 2017-18 levels: a 90% reduction for overall estate (Scope 1 and 2) and business travel, a 95% reduction for domestic flights, and an 80% reduction for both Scope 1 emissions and Service Family Accommodation (SFA).
• The paper identifies several areas for further research, including an unexplained 40% increase in reported 'overall' UK estate GHG emissions for 2019-20 and 2020-21 compared to previous reports, and the fact that overseas estate emissions would add approximately 20% to the UK figures.

APA

Parkinson, S. (2023). UK military GHG emissions and the Greening Government Commitments. Scientists for Global Responsibility. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/SGR-tech-paper-MOD-GHGs-GGCs-final.pdf

Chicago

Parkinson, Stuart. UK military GHG emissions and the Greening Government Commitments. Scientists for Global Responsibility, 2023. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/SGR-tech-paper-MOD-GHGs-GGCs-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Parkinson |first1=Stuart |title=UK military GHG emissions and the Greening Government Commitments |publisher=Scientists for Global Responsibility |date=May 2023 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/SGR-tech-paper-MOD-GHGs-GGCs-final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{parkinson2023military, author = {Parkinson, Stuart}, title = {{UK military GHG emissions and the Greening Government Commitments}}, institution = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/SGR-tech-paper-MOD-GHGs-GGCs-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }