The Department of the Army announced today that it has released its second Annual Sustainability Report highlighting energy and environmental achievements and milestones supporting the Army's sustainability concept and goals.
The annual sustainability report informs primary stakeholders, partners, the American people, and other interested parties on the Army's progress to embody the principles of sustainability in its operations and installation management.
"Army leadership has come to understand the potential for sustainability to strengthen national security. What had previously yielded benefit through environmental initiatives is emerging as an important tool for countering the destabilizing effects of emerging challenges from competition over limited and diminishing resources, as well as population movements, pandemics and other climate change-related events," said Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, who serves as both the Army's senior sustainability official and chief management officer.
Throughout the Army, efforts are underway to further recognize sustainability as an organizing principle. Army sustainability results from aligning the Army's mission with environmental stewardship and community well being, plus the economic benefit accrued from reduced waste and increased efficiency.
Twenty-eight Army installations have undergone integrated strategic and sustainability planning which requires long-term sustainability plans and goals to meet future mission and community needs. All new Army construction since fiscal 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 energy needed to meet our operational capabilities.
"The Army is currently in the midst of its eighth year of protracted conflict. With an eye toward rebalancing the force, sustainability has proven an effective tool for meeting operational requirements, while sustaining facilities and ranges, improving quality of life and reducing the burden on the natural and manmade systems on which we depend," said Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army.
Tad Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for environment, safety and occupational health said, "The results we are now seeing from the Army's sustainability programs and initiatives directly support our mission and the well-being of our soldiers, civilians, families and communities."
The report and other information on Army sustainability programs and initiatives are available online to download at http://www.aepi.army.mil .
Media may contact Dave Foster, 703-697-5344 or Dave.Foster1@us.army.mil.
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