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Impact of Climate Change on CAF Operations

Climate change is affecting the frequency, duration, and intensity of Canadian Armed Forces operations, both at home and abroad, placing unprecedented demands on our resources.
That is why we are increasingly integrating climate considerations into our equipment, infrastructure, and operational planning.
For example, infrastructure requirements now include both adaptation and greenhouse gas reduction considerations to support federal net-zero targets and improve resiliency.
In Canada and around the world, climate change effects are also transforming the physical and security landscape, and bringing about an evolving set of security challenges.
That is why we are working with our Allies to establish a NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence in Montréal to better understand climate change security challenges and better inform military preparedness.
We will continue to evaluate how climate change impacts our resources and priorities to ensure we remain ready to protect Canadians at home and abroad.

Strong, Secure, Engaged: Recognizes the security implications of climate change both at home and abroad, including:
- Threats to the Arctic;
- An increasing demand for CAF assets to respond to natural disasters in Canada and abroad; and,
- Climate change’s role in exacerbating the drivers of conflict in fragile states.
NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence: At the June 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, it was announced that Montréal would be the host city for the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence. This Centre will help NATO, Allies, and other global partners better understand, adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on our security.
Operation LENTUS: Provides support to provincial and territorial authorities to respond quickly and effectively to natural disasters in Canada.
- 1990-2010: Eight operations, averaging one operation every other year.
- 2011-2021: 33 operations, averaging about 3 operations each year.
- 2022: Five operations.
The Defence Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES) 2021-2022 Results Report indicates that the department is on-track to complete the climate change adaptation risk assessment framework by March 2023.

Other Operations

Operation RENAISSANCE provides support to international humanitarian and disaster response operations.
Climate change impacts military training as more frequent and severe natural disasters often coincide with training schedules, and CAF response draws personnel and resources away from training exercises.

National Defence Funding

The increase in domestic operations in support of climate disasters has resulted in increased pressure on National Defence’s operating budget.
Deployments contribute to higher carbon emissions, which can drive up the cost for deployments due to costs required for carbon offset.
The Operational Funding Account (OFA) is projecting an average annual pressure on the OFA budget of approximately $5.9 M for the next two years, and likely to increase as climate disasters continue to drive the operational tempo.

NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence

At the June 2022 NATO Summit, Canada announced that Montréal, Québec would be the host city for the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence.
The establishment of a Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence is an ongoing initiative led jointly by Global Affairs Canada and National Defence.
This Centre of Excellence will be a platform for both military and civilians to develop, enhance, and share knowledge on climate change security impacts. It will also allow them to work together to build required capabilities, develop best practices, and contribute to NATO’s goal of reducing the climate impact of military activities.
In addition to hosting the centre and supporting its operation, Canada will bring its unique knowledge and abilities in a range of relevant sectors to the functioning of the centre. Through the cooperative efforts of its participants, the work of this centre will enhance the security of Canada, NATO, and people around the globe.

Defence Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES) 2021-2022 Results Report

This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) to make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole of government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.
The 2021-2022 Results Report indicates that:
- An annotated outline of the adaptation risk assessment framework was drafted by DND in collaboration with departmental stakeholders.
- The RCAF has completed the initial draft of a climate change risk assessment.
- The RCN has developed a plan to assess climate change impacts on RCN activities.
- The CA completed its climate change risk assessment.

Greening the Federal Fleet

In 2020/21, 85% of the commercial light-duty vehicles procured were hybrid or electric, bolstering our efforts to transition 100% of this fleet from fossil fuels.
In 2020/21, 34% percent of our light-duty vehicle fleet now runs on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and/or electric technology
Dedicated “energy managers” are assigned to bases/wings. They will lead initiatives to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions at National Defence infrastructure across Canada.
The Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy are developing fleet decarbonisation plans that will be regularly updated to support a net-zero emissions National Safety and Security fleet. These plans are expected in 2023/24, and will consider availability, affordability, and operational feasibility.

Royal Military College Saint-Jean

At Royal Military College Saint-Jean, a new Bachelor’s degree program in Geopolitics and Climate Science is being developed that will position Officer and Naval Cadets and the Canadian Armed Forces to address the key issues at the heart of climate change.