Green Defense Industries in the European Union: The Case of the Battle Dress Uniform for Circular Economy

João Reis (), David Pascoal Rosado, Yuval Cohen, César Pousa and Adriane Cavalieri
Additional contact information
João Reis: Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Engineering, Lusofona University and EIGeS, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
David Pascoal Rosado: Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Tecnologia (FCST), Universidade Europeia, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal
Yuval Cohen: Department of Industrial Engineering, Afeka Tel-Aviv College of Engineering, Tel Aviv 69988, Israel
César Pousa: NATO Air Defense Systems Support & Supply Management, NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Mamer 56 CR103, 8325 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Adriane Cavalieri: Division of Evaluation and Industrial Processes, National Institute of Technology, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Rio de Janeiro 20081-312, Brazil

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: As climate change is at the top of the world’s agenda, the armed forces and other defense actors must give a signal that they are environmentally responsible. In this regard, the defense industry should be one of the first actors to devise new strategies and actions aimed at reducing the environmental footprint. This article focuses on the measures being taken by the defense industry and the armed forces, and on how technology, the circular economy (CE) and Lean principles can contribute to a better environment. A qualitative multimethod research model was used, covering more than one research method, such as a systematic literature review and a case study research. Although the literature highlights that the defense sector in Europe is far from being a green actor, a transition to the CE was identified. In that regard, the European Union (EU) defense industry has been a key player in CE R strategies, such as: repurpose, remanufacture, repair, reuse, reduce and rethink. The contribution of new technologies has empowered military equipment to acquire enhanced characteristics, such as material resistance, while EU technology centers have been instrumental in a green transition. Additionally, more comprehensive research is needed in order to allow generalization of the results.

Keywords: circular economy; climate change; defense industry; environment; lean principles; R strategies; technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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