University of Exeter works with MoD on circular economy report

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Compiled with assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) as part of the UKRI NICER Programme’s CEctor project, the report highlights how a circular economy presents a solution to the systemic challenges faced by MoD organisations.

Defence accounts for 50% of the UK central government’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the report outlines the issues facing the sector, from the escalating threat of climate change to decarbonisation targets, supply chain volatility, energy geopolitics, material availability and outdated systems and infrastructure.

A circular economy, underpinned by the principles of eliminating waste and pollution through design, and circulating materials and products at their highest value for as long as possible, would help the UK defence sector deal with these challenges, the report states.

It urges the UK defence sector to integrate circular economy principles into organisational culture, policies, and practices, driving innovation and fostering a more sustainable and resilient defence sector for the future.

It also outlines the importance of strong leadership, education, behavioural change, aligned investment priorities, data management and collaboration across the three stages of the value chain: from the sourcing of raw materials and components and manufacturing of products; the use of those products; to the end-of- life management of products and materials.

It gives examples of circular innovations for defence to show how a circular economy could work in practice.

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, 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, and 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, said: “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.

Senior Analyst, James Panther said: “Defence collaborates with the brightest minds in academia to help develop solutions to our most pressing challenges. We helped a group of delivery specialists and Exeter’s academics understand a range of potential applications to improve efficiency across the Ministry of Defence.

“The short report is a brilliant example of how academics can transfer their knowledge into a simple format that can be captured for use within civil service and military workflows. It provides a suite of options that MOD can pursue to improve sustainability in keeping with the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach.”

The report ‘Engaging with Defence and Security on the Circular Economy’ can be accessed here.