Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the defence sector’s contribution to net zero targets.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) remains fully committed to contributing to the UK achieving its legal commitment to be Net Zero by 2050. Between Financial Year 2019-20 and Financial Year 2023-24, the MOD as a Department has reduced its overall emissions from 3,650,000 tCO2e to 3,012,000 tCO2e. A more detailed breakdown of Defence energy use and associated carbon emissions can be found in Annex D of the MOD Annual Report and Accounts.

The wider Defence sector must comply with Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 006 Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts, requiring Carbon Reduction Plans, to be published online at supplier selection stage for procurements valued at £5 million (ex VAT) or more per year, where relevant and proportionate. MOD are encouraging the application of PPN 016: Carbon Reduction Contract Schedule which provides standard terms to support decarbonisation objectives, including Greenhouse gas emissions reporting, reduction targets, and monitoring through supplier Carbon Reduction Plans. Additionally, when procuring infrastructure, the MOD must adhere to Joint Services Policy 850 to ensure energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction.