As the Greening Defence podcast concludes, the hosts come together to reflect on how the conversation about climate change has evolved within UK defence, where there is more work to be done, and what defence might need to do to make sure it is resilient for a climate changed future.

Across the first seven episodes, 11 guests joined us to help navigate the topics of climate change, sustainability, culture and technology, and to discuss how the single services are choosing to focus their efforts. In this final episode, hosts Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Beard, Dr Sarah Ashbridge, Doug Weir and Linsey Cottrell reflect on the conversations held and provide their own assessment of defence’s progress and future potential.

With an ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040, how does the RAF perceive the threat of climate change, and how does it plan to accelerate the pace of mitigation?

Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Beard and Dr Sarah Ashbridge have the honour of hosting Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, to explore the threats to the air domain and where the opportunities for transformation lie.

They discuss the priorities that the RAF has identified, and how it plans to adapt to maintain operational capabilities while also improving the resilience of the service. Will alternative fuels ease the burden of logistical supply chains? And how can climate change mitigation projects enable capabilities even in the most extreme operating environments?

How is the UK’s Senior Service both adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change for future operations in the naval domain?

Hosts Dr Sarah Ashbridge and Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Beard are joined by Rear Admiral Paul Beattie, Director Naval Staff within the Royal Navy, to explore what he describes as the biggest change management programme facing defence.

They discuss how climate change is informing the Royal Navy’s approach to concepts such as ship design, fuel and procurement, and how existing capabilities are being futureproofed for retrofitting of emerging green technologies. How are operational requirements likely to change? Will this include an increased demand for disaster relief?