10.00 - 13:00 Workshop: Sustainable Logistics for Combat Theatres

Led by:

Brigadier Charlie Hobson (Ret’d)
Former Head of Expeditionary Logistic Support
UK MOD

Logisticians in austere locations regularly face the sort of environmental challenges that dominate domestic press headlines elsewhere. Potable water supplies, sustainable energy and sanitation for deployed combat bases – these are all issues common to those who’ve deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or African theatres in recent years. In addition to the practical issues of sustainable logistics in theatre, many European militaries will soon face carbon limits on their emissions necessitating further efficiencies being found in the logistic footprint. A further issue arises when energy security is taken into consideration and the military’s reliance upon fossil fuels, many of which are sourced from potentially politically unstable regions, suggesting that reduced dependency on such energy may be in the strategic interest.

This workshop aims to explore the full range of issues surrounding sustainable logistics and the environmental concerns that may exert further pressures on the supply chain. Participants can explore a range of international perspectives that will reveal the coming challenges of having a truly sustainable supply chain – including many that may not previously have been considered. Exploring the many challenges of creating and maintaining a sustainable footprint, the workshop will then move to examine the potential solutions, assessing the viability and practicality of the systems and strategies on offer.

The session concludes by sketching a series of action points that individual units and militaries might consider adopting as they seek to create a supply chain that meets the needs of customers whilst satisfying the demands of other government authorities and interest groups.