A group of retired senior military officers from Europe has called for investment in renewable energy to be counted under defence expenditure, arguing that the climate crisis poses a threat to national security. In a letter to European heads of government, the former officers said low-carbon power should be included in Nato's target of spending 1.5% of GDP on critical infrastructure.
The signatories, including retired Lt Gen Richard Nugee and V Adm Ben Bekkering, argued that relying on fossil fuels makes countries less secure and vulnerable to price spikes during conflicts, as seen after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They urged governments to end dependence on foreign oil and gas and to invest in renewable energy to achieve energy sovereignty.
Retired Lt Gen Richard Nugee told the Guardian that renewable energy sources like wind and solar are more dispersed and less vulnerable to attack than gas supplies, making them a key component of a resilient homeland. V Adm Ben Bekkering added that governments must take a broader view of security, encompassing military, economic, and ecological sustainability.
The letter was signed by several former senior military figures, including Tom Middendorp, former chief of defence of the Netherlands; Air Marshal Sir Graham Stacey; R Adm Neil Morisetti; retired Brig John Deverell; and retired Lt Gen Richard Wardlaw. They highlighted growing awareness among military leaders of the climate crisis's potential impacts on security.
A UK government spokesperson said the government has committed to spending 5% of GDP on national security, including 1.5% on resilience, and is pursuing a clean energy superpower mission to protect the UK from fossil fuel price volatility.
