Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, when he plans to announce the new policy on standards for new builds for the defence estate.
In order to deliver a new policy on standards for new builds on the defence estate considerable research is needed to ensure the most appropriate solutions are chosen. Work is currently underway to deliver the evidence needed to support the delivery of net zero policy in respect of new builds. This work includes the capability to conduct whole life carbon assessment which is needed to ensure sound infrastructure investment decisions are made and which will need to be implemented in order for any new standards to be fully effective. Pending this Defence continues to monitor and review the operation of its policy in this respect to ensure that all measures that can be taken in order to meet the net zero ambition are taken into consideration.