Federal Army

For the green airpower, a separate sustainability department was set up in the organization team. With the deployment of a team of experts in the field of sustainability and environmental protection, the Armed Forces are making a contribution to a more sustainable “greener” air show and “bridging the gap between climate protection and the orientation of Airpower22”, according to the Minister.

In addition, the armed forces are trying to secure biodiversity on military training areas. The Allentsteig military training area is part of the “Natura 2000 network of protected areas”. The “Klimateller” project is trying to ensure more regionality and seasonality when eating in the barracks. At the same time, food waste in the troop kitchens is reduced. There is special training for employees during military training in the areas of environmental protection, sustainability, ecology and waste separation. Investments such as clothing and motor vehicles generate as much domestic added value as possible. Wherever possible, electric cars are purchased.

“Like democracy, the principle of sustainability is based on three pillars: ecology, social affairs and economy. Aspects of this find their way into many areas of the department also in comprehensive national defense, which includes intellectual, civil, economic and military national defense. In addition, with various projects and implementations, we want to expand this with an ecological aspect. Quasi as an aspect or part of military national defense. We don’t just want to promote sustainability and sensitize our employees to this, but also link the implementation of the federal government’s climate goals with the armed forces – in the interests of nature and the environment the construction of photovoltaic systems. In addition, there are pilot projects for the generation, storage and use of kinetic, thermal and electrical energy. A major project is the conversion of all barracks to self-sufficiency. By 2025, 100 barracks across Austria should be able to function independently in order to be able to react quickly and efficiently in threat scenarios such as a blackout. “For the self-sufficient barracks, we have put together a package that will be implemented in parallel or on top of the building program. There is a prioritization concept for the whole of Austria and that is processed point by point. Because it is clear that we have to make our armed forces more modern and new Prepare threats. In total, we will invest more than 90 million euros in the next five years, “explains Tanner.

Implementation has already started this year, including the Maria Theresa barracks in Vienna or the Flugfeld Kaserne in Wiener Neustadt. Barracks such as the Landwehr barracks in St. Michael or the Standschützen barracks in Innsbruck and the Dabs barracks in Korneuburg will follow in 2022. 2023 starts with the Belgier Kaserne but also with the Raab Kaserne or the Kaserne in Villach.