Results from 2021 show that, compared to 2019, the area of government of the Ministry of Defence has reduced its carbon footprint, increased the percentage of waste collected by type, and reduced water use per person.
The carbon footprint of the area of government of the Ministry of Defence was 54,358 t/CO2 eq in 2021, which is 26% lower compared to 2019 (73,575 t/CO2 eq). Waste generation per person decreased by 10% and the share of separate waste collection increased from 38% to 47%. Water consumption per person also decreased by 18%.
“Operating in an environmentally friendly manner is very important to us, and in two years we have made significant strides in this direction. There is a great emphasis on the use of green energy, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing water consumption, which we have been able to do successfully so far,” said Tiina Uudeberg, Undersecretary for Defence Planning at the Ministry of Defence.
The Undersecretary added that the environmental awareness programme has certainly had an impact, having contributed to raising environmental awareness and helping to achieve set goals. For example, the vast majority of drinking water dispensers in the area of governance have been abandoned and tap water is consumed as drinking water.
In 2021, the carbon footprint was affected most (59%) by vehicles related to capability development, including allied vehicles. A total of 41% of the carbon footprint came from the production of electricity (32%) and thermal energy (9%) related to buildings and objects. The carbon footprint related to buildings and objects decreased by 50% compared to 2019, the main reason for the decrease being the purchasing of electricity with a green electricity certificate of origin to the extent of nearly 50%, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, and increasing the use of renewable energy (solar, wood).
The carbon footprint decreased in a situation where the total consumption of thermal energy increased by almost 15% mainly due to the cold winter. In order to reduce the thermal energy footprint, district heating and more environmentally friendly heating systems (for example, geothermal heating together with solar panels) are being introduced whenever possible. In 2021, 58% of the energy consumption of objects and buildings was green, i.e. 18% more than in 2019.
The vehicle footprint increased by 10% in 2021 compared to 2019, but this was primarily influenced by the increase in the number of allied units and the volume of exercises. Given the single-fuel policy and the existing technical solutions for fuel substitution in vehicles related to capability development, the options for reducing the vehicle-related footprint remain quite limited.
Progress was made in reducing waste generation and water consumption per capita, but total waste generation increased by 12% and water use by 2%. The reason was the 28% increase in personnel.
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