Defence Science Technology Laboratory
These enablers ensure defence is able to operate effectively within constraints and boundaries, and that it works from the correct data to make sound decisions.
Defence forms part of the UK response to meeting national climate change initiatives. In adapting to climate change, it can bring together views and shared investment from across government (and the private sector) to solve some of the difficult problems.
Develop, influence and implement standards
Defence has a role to play in both meeting and influencing the setting of internationally recognised standards for climate change technologies and approaches. These set the constraints within which defence is able to prepare and operate both nationally and internationally.
It must also consider societal and ethical standards and norms to meet the UK populations (as well as international) expectations of how we operate on climate change.
Embed climate change culture
Climate change presents an opportunity to engage all defence people in a common theme. This is important nationally and internationally. It can form an intrinsic part of defences culture and activities if everyone has an awareness of climate change and its implications for defence.
Communication of defences approach and the need for action on climate change (internally and externally) will provide inspiration to defence people, the wider public, industry and international partners. It will also be important for future recruitment and retention.
Ensure defence people have the right skills attributes, experience and training
For defence people to operate effectively in a climate-changed world, they will need:
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additional skills
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attributes
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experience
This is due to:
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changes in operating conditions (for example, medical skills for extreme temperatures and for increased disease, self-sustainability skills including desalination and water harvesting, maintenance of non-fossil fuel equipment and legacy equipment, forward repair, adaptation and manufacture)
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potential changes in the type of operations being undertaken (for example, responding to natural disasters could require different engineering skills)
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increases in use of digital technology or digital skills (including artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, immersive and synthetic environments, and simulation and modelling)
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the introduction of new capability (for example, autonomous capability)
These skill sets could be in high demand as the changes above are also present in the civil sector. Future training and recruitment will need to reflect the changes.
These changes do also offer opportunities to make greater use of immersive technologies, such as augmented reality and virtual reality. They allow people to train without exposing them or equipment to hazardous conditions, and to undertake activities multiple times, in multiple different environments - to meet the changing situation from climate change. The use of virtual reality for training while still requiring energy to operate usually calls for less equipment. And hence is less energy intensive.
Extended reality
Extended reality is an umbrella term encompassing augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality:
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augmented reality adds layers of virtual objects or data to the users experience of the physical environment
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virtual reality is a 3D experience where a user is fully immersed in a computer-generated virtual world
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mixed reality is an augmented reality or virtual reality hybrid, where users can interact in real time with both physical and digital objects
Extended reality technology is already used across many application areas (such as medical, education and construction) with technology becoming more commercially available. This technology could transform how individuals and organisations operate in and interact with the physical and digital world.
Opportunities to exploit extended reality:
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reduce the use, cost and impact of physical resources (lowers time and fuel burdens and increases availability of defence people and operational equipment)
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couple extended reality with robotics so operators can perform dextrous and complex tasks remotely (reduces the risks of hazards in extreme environments)
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learn and sharpen new skills through training in realistic simulations of complex and hostile scenarios
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optimise planning and execution of missions by rehearsing tactics in representative synthetic environments
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increase the capabilities of operators in front line roles with remote specialist contributors
Effective decision-making
Defence decision-making must apply a climate lens based on evidence-informed assumptions of a climate changed world. This must be consistent and appropriate.
Data and predictive data analysis
Climate change is a global and cross-government issue. Informed decisions require consistency of climate change data at international and national levels. Data should include multiple relevant climate change sources, including those outside the traditional intelligence gathering community.
UK defence should include climate change factors in all its threat assessments and horizon scanning. Machine learning, AI or Big Data offer capabilities to improve climate and security threat modelling. But AI and Big Data come with extra energy demands that mean the benefit they provide need to balance against the detrimental affect they have.
Defence climate assumptions or scenarios and operational analysis
Capability development require defence climate assumptions because of the dynamic and changing nature of climate change. These allow the development of scenarios based in a climate-changed world - which will allow immersive exploration of the ability of defence to meet its objectives.
Analysis used to enable strategic choices and decision-making must reflect climate change, and account for the deep uncertainty that a future with climate changes holds. This includes modelling, simulation, high-level operational analysis and immersive exploration, including table top exercises and war gaming.