18 January 2019: The US Department of Defense (DoD) has published a report on vulnerabilities of military installations to, and combatant commander requirements resulting from, climate change over the next 20 years. It reaffirms that the effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to DoD missions, operational plans and installations.

The ‘Report on Effects of a Changing Climate to the Department of Defense’ was delivered on 18 January 2019 to the US Congress, which mandated the report.

The report provides examples of impacts to selected military installations and infrastructure, and describes vulnerability factors for each. Each installation was assessed based on their vulnerability to recurrent flooding, drought, desertification, wildfire and thawing permafrost.

The Department is incorporating climate resilience as a cross-cutting consideration in planning and decision-making processes.

The report finds that more than 67% of the 79 military installations surveyed are already facing climate change-related risks, including recurrent flooding at 15 bases, drought exposure at 43 bases and wildfire risk to 36 bases. The numbers are higher when future vulnerabilities are considered, given that the impacts will likely be worse than the report suggests. The report also explains that seven installations not currently vulnerable to impacts from recurrent flooding are expected to be vulnerable in the future.

The report highlights that climate change can impact DoD operations through: changes in the manner in which DoD maintains readiness and provides support; and changes to what DoD may be asked to support. Among climate impacts on operations, the report highlights:

• threats of increased country instability;
• effects on disaster relief and response operations;
• logistics and mission support issues;
• defense support of civil authorities; and
• the need for increased maintenance and repair requirements for training/testing lands and associated infrastructure and equipment.

The report discusses steps the DoD is taking to increase installation resiliency and operational viability, as well as efforts to ensure mission resiliency abroad, such as:

• US Africa Command: water security engagements in the Chad Basin and Tanzania;
• US Europe Command: water workshop in the Czech Republic; and
• US Northern Command: Arctic mission analysis with the Scandinavian countries.

The report notes that the Department is incorporating climate resilience as a cross-cutting consideration in planning and decision-making processes. [Publication: Report on Effects of a Changing Climate to the Department of Defense] [Center for Climate and Security Press Release] [American Security Project Report Announcement]