Joe Murray, coordinator of 🇮🇪 NGO @AfriPeace, is correct in stating that the global defence sector (militaries, industry and ministries) have a large carbon footprint. However, he is disingenuous in using that fact to undermine Ireland's defence sector. 🧵irishexaminer.com/opinion/commen…
First, the militaries of the US, UK, Netherlands, Slovenia, New Zealand, Ireland and others are leading efforts to decarbonise bases, operations and vehicles in order to reduce their carbon footrprints in line with public sector "net zero" targets. This will be evident at #COP27
It's early days, but their ambitions are genuine: reducing reliance on fossil fuels has significant cost savings and operational advantages as well as addressing national climate action responsibilities. Soldiers have families too. No one wants climate change.
Second, Ireland has the lowest level of expenditure on defence in Europe: just 0.2% of GDP (2019) compared to the EU average of 1.2%
We are not even laggards. Ireland barely has any defence due to long-term underinvestment.
We are not even laggards. Ireland barely has any defence due to long-term underinvestment.
Third, Ireland participates in just one EU Permanent Structured Cooperation or PESCO project (Nov 2021) compared to 5 projects by non-aligned Finland and 7 projects by non-aligned Austria.
Our involement with the defence industry is almost non-existent.
Our involement with the defence industry is almost non-existent.
Fourth, the "Support for Enterprise, Research, and Innovation in Defence" or rather "EU Funding for Irish Defence and Security Enterprise and R&D: Maximising the Opportunities" seminar on 25 November is now a virtual meeting due to Covid restrictions 👉 gov.ie/en/publication…
Part of the seminar will address the lack of EU funding for research and development that will help the Irish @DefenceForces innovate climate solutions to reduce its carbon footprint.
Would Joe Murray prefer to block progress in tackling climate change by the world's militaries?
Would Joe Murray prefer to block progress in tackling climate change by the world's militaries?
One of the most promising aspects of militaries addressing electrification and decarbonisation is the high potential for spillover of technologies and techniques developed by the military into civil society, for global application in the race to carbon neutrality.
Fifth, EU funding for defence is not all about building weapons systems, as Murray implies. Would he prefer if Irish Peacekeepers on UN missions overseas were exposed to weapons such as deadly loitering munitions without adequate countermeasures? The EU funds diverse projects.
Sixth, Murray points to the death, suffering and forced migration of people as a result of conflicts. Climate change impacts magnify such conflicts. By denying the Irish defence sector participation in development of climate solutions, we condemn millions more to such fates.
Joe Murray's extremely biased article in the @irishexaminer is an anti-war message (nothing wrong in that) that confuses climate change with weapons. It fails to give recognition to nascent efforts by the Defence Forces to decarbonise. Worse, it erodes support for such efforts.
By doing so, Joe Murray and @AfriPeace are in effect working against efforts by the Defence Forces to address climate change. Also, they are undermining the case for EU funding to develop measures to protect Defence Forces personnel on vital UN peacekeeping duties. Shameful.
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