Army Sustainability Report Highlights Energy and Environmental Achievements

What is it'

The Army's recently released Sustainability Report is the Army's second annual sustainability report. It details energy and environmental achievements and milestones supporting the Army's sustainability concept and goals. The report is published in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. This widely recognized framework is used by corporations and governments around the world to measure and publicly report their economic, environmental and social performance.

What has the Army done'

The Army was the first federal department or agency to publish a sustainability report. The report builds off of that inaugural effort, highlighting various Army programs, as well as explicit mission, environment and community performance trends.

Twenty-eight Army installations have undergone an integrated strategic and sustainability planning process, developing individual installation-tailored sustainability plans and goals. All new Army construction since fiscal year 2008 has been required to be designed to the leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver minimum standard.

Further, efforts are underway to ensure that all new Army acquisition programs include the fully burdened cost of energy in the selection process to maximize the productivity of the energy needed to meet our operation capabilities. The Army is building green, buying green and going green and leading by example on the path to sustainability.

Why is it important to the Army'

The Army has come to understand the links between sustainability and national security. Increasing sustainability means supporting our mission, reducing our environmental impacts, and improving community relations and the well-being of our Soldiers, families, civilians and contractors. In addition, economic benefit is accrued from reduced waste and increased efficiency. Conservation of resources means reductions in long fuel and water related logistics tails and increased safety for our Soldiers in theater. Sustainable ranges and training lands ensure a combat ready force, and sustainable facilities improve quality of life for our Soldiers and families both at home and abroad.

What is planned for the future'

Though this report identifies our progress on the path to sustainability it also emphasizes areas where we may need to refocus. We are currently working to integrate sustainability throughout every aspect of the Army enterprise. We will continue to hold ourselves accountable by providing this annual account of our progress to all Army stakeholders and the American people. The Army is committed to decreasing its boot print and making sustainability a way of life.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.aepi.army.mil/" target="_blank">Army Environmental Policy Institute</a>

<a href="http://www.aepi.army.mil/docs/whatsnew/FINALArmySustainabilityReport2010.pdf" target="_blank"> 2009 Army Sustainability Report</a>