2020 Defence Sustainability Challenge launched

Courtesy Team Defence Information

The MoD is committed to assisting UK efforts to meet the net carbon zero target for 2050. However, uniquely, MoD must work within the constraints of its Equipment Plan and the challenges posed by legacy assets with planned lengthy in‐service lifespans.

To achieve a force that can fulfil its role in an increasingly contested and degraded operating environment as it is reducing its carbon footprint, Defence must consider alternative approaches to delivering its outputs whilst meeting imposed legislative requirements.

The Joint Information Group Vanguard (JIG‐V), a collaborative MOD and Defence Industry working group, is seeking radical proposals that identify areas where Defence could achieve reductions in environmental footprint, whilst still achieving its objectives. This could be through new technologies, innovations in policy, process or procedure, or through other previously unexplored options.

Titled 'Delivering digitally‐enabled and integrated support without costing the Earth', the competition will coincide with the LOGNET 20 conference due to take place 12‐13 March 2020.

LOGNET 20 is the Ministry of Defence’s logistics and support enterprise‐engagement and future‐development event for 2020. The MoD wishes to advance its engagement with industry, academia, international partners and allies to optimise military logistics and support capabilities and promote UK prosperity; not just by being open for business, but ready for modernisation and change. This year sustainability will feature as a key theme of the event and the sustainability challenge will be a key opportunity for stakeholders to input into the discussion.

Submissions are welcome from groups or individuals from Academia, MoD and Industry at any level within the organisation. Ten of the most‐promising ideas will be selected to pitch to Senior Defence personnel and other VIPs at an exclusive reception during LOGNET 20.

Finalists will then be offered support and mentorship from Academia, Dstl and MoD to develop and finalise their ideas before they are invited to present to a panel of senior judges from UK MoD who will assess the entries and select the most innovative proposal, with the winner awarded £1,000.

This years’ competition is sponsored by Harmonic, who have been central to operational Support chain improvement in the MoD for over a decade. They are now helping lead the way in Business Modernisation for Support and digital transformation. The sustainability challenge fits perfectly with the Company’s new Social Value Agenda.

Ben Eddy (Boeing) and Ollie Organ (Allan Webb), the challenge managers, said of the competition: “The MoD faces a unique challenge in reducing its carbon footprint, with assets often staying in service of many tens of years. We are excited to be supporting the MOD in looking for new and innovative ways to combat or offset the emissions. We hope this competition will encourage a broad range of stakeholders to join the conversation and support the work the MoD is doing to minimise demand, footprint, cost and waste”


For terms and conditions of the competition and submitting an entry, click here