Congress Continues To Affirm That Climate Security Is National Security
(Clean Technica) … Congress voted to override the president’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), enacting H.R. 6395, the “William M. (Mac) Thornberry” NDAA for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. … With the enactment of the FY21 NDAA, Congress again demonstrates bipartisan support for increasing the military’s readiness to a climate change-fueled future. The bill has four main provisions that will strengthen the Department of Defense’s (DOD) resilience to climate change related impacts.
First, it requires DOD to update the 2014 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap
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Second, it provides DOD with more authority to implement resilience projects
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Third, it requires DOD to create a new “National Academies Climate Security Roundtable”
The FY21 NDAA calls for the director of national intelligence to coordinate with the undersecretary of defense for intelligence to establish a joint agreement with the National Academies of Science to create a new ‘‘National Academies Climate Security Roundtable” that will function as a critical support system to the Climate Security Advisory Council — an organization established by Congress in last year’s NDAA.
The short-term roundtable — set to terminate September 30, 2025 — will include members of the Climate Security Advisory Council; senior representatives and practitioners from federal science agencies, the intelligence community, and the Department of Defense; and key stakeholders from higher education institutions, federal research laboratories, industry and nonprofit research organizations.
This roundtable is tasked with identifying gaps in national security knowledge and solutions, exchanging data, establishing climate security indicators and warnings, and developing best practices for incorporating these into the military’s operational planning and intelligence analyses. For more information see Section 1622 under Subtitle B — Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-Related Activities under Title XVI — Space Activities, Strategic Programs, and Intelligence Matters.
Why it matters:
The establishment of the National Academies Climate Security Roundtable will provide more support and resources to the recently established Climate Security Advisory Council and demonstrates a continued recognition by Congress and the Pentagon that investing in climate security is an investment in our national security.
Fourth, it directs DOD to report on the Coast Guard’s vulnerability to climate change impacts
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It also requires DOD to evaluate and plan for the use of renewable and small-scale local energy generation units that are connected to the electricity grid, collectively called distributed energy assets (DEAs). Moving forward, Congress ought to request a report by DOD or GAO to track the level to which DOD builds DEAs into its energy portfolio and what will be needed to improve upon any roadblocks that arise.
It authorizes an additional $9 million for the second year of the DOD blue carbon capture and direct air capture program.
Finally, the FY21 NDAA reestablishes the position of assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations, and environment, which is a critical position to ensure DOD’s success in integrating climate change provisions.
When considering the extent of the Pentagon’s carbon footprint, moving forward Congress must take more significant strides on emissions reduction provisions in the next NDAA to provide resources and advance the good work the Pentagon is already doing on green energy.
The directives are in, now the hard work begins
Now that Congress has given the Pentagon its climate change-related directives, the real work begins for DOD to implement these policy provisions. Congress will need to track and assess DOD’s progress and the lessons learned on overcoming barriers. Congress also needs to work now to begin laying the groundwork for even bolder climate adaptation and mitigations measures in next year’s NDAA and the years after that. With the support from Congress and the Administration, the Pentagon can play a more prominent role in advancing climate change risk and emissions reduction research, technology and measures and by doing so, lead the federal family on best practices for using the latest climate change science to tackle one of the most pressing national security issues. READ MORE
