Exeter University report urges the UK defence sector to integrate circular economy principles into its organisation, policies, and practices.
The report says a circular economy presents a solution to the systemic challenges faced by UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisations.
The report highlights challenges such as climate change, supply chain volatility, energy geopolitics, material availability, and outdated systems and infrastructure.
A circular economy would help the UK defence sector deal with these challenges, the report states.
Exeter University compiled the report with assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) as part of the UKRI NICER Programme’s CEctor project.
The report also outlines examples of circular economy innovations for defence to show how a circular economy could work in practice.
This shift has the potential to substantially enhance asset and resource efficiency, lower costs, and contribute to achieving ambitious net-zero targets…
These include the Dutch Ministry of Defence’s procurement of military workwear with the stipulation that new items were manufactured with at least 10% recycled materials.
Another example is a British Army-funded project to convert four in-service military Land Rovers from diesel to electric vehicles (EVs) using a drop-in kit and modified battery system.
The report also explores the successful recycling of vessels no longer in operation, such as HMS Illustrious, a 16,000 tonne light aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy.
Professor Fiona Charnley, Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy, part of the University of Exeter Business School, commented: “Given the defence sector oversees a vast array of assets and equipment, and exhibits a clear desire for change, it stands in a good position to pioneer innovation and adopt CE principles.
“This shift has the potential to substantially enhance asset and resource efficiency, lower costs, and contribute to achieving ambitious net-zero targets, which aligns with the strategic goals of the sector, promoting resilience, sustainability, and efficiency across operations and supply chains along with economic security.”
