For Bangladesh, climate security is not an abstract idea but a question of national survival, economic stability and regional peace, Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Air Vice Marshal M D Tariqul Islam has told a Climate Security and Resilience Seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The seminar, hosted on September 22 and 23 by the BAF as part of the Australian Defence Force's Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 activities, covered the challenges of climate change and opportunities for militaries to invest in sustainable aviation fuel.
Air Vice Marshal Tariqul's opening remarks were amplified by presentations during the seminar that revealed how Bangladesh, which contributes just 0.04 per cent of historical global carbon emissions, will disproportionately bear the impacts of rising temperatures as rising seawater could force millions from their coastal homes and into already crowded cities or neighbouring countries.
This would be not only be an humanitarian issue, but also a security and conflict challenge, placing militaries in the middle, tasked with maintaining stability and order.
Squadron Leader Israt Arza Fahima told the seminar how air forces were reckoning with the threats posed by climate change, saying air operations must evolve "not just to defend borders, but to protect our planet and our people".
Apart from taking part in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, militaries - whose own carbon footprint an independent study from the Conflict and Environment Observatory estimates could account for about 5.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions - were flagged as having a role to play in reducing their impact through measures such as transitioning to more sustainable fuels.
Royal Australian Navy officer Commander Steven Cole, of the Defence Energy Transition Office, led a discussion on sustainable aviation fuels, which can be sourced from crops and other organic materials. This presented opportunities for both Bangladesh and Australia to enhance self-sufficiency.
'I think we can learn a great deal from how they have achieved that level of action and care.'
This was important, given the vulnerabilities of relying on foreign fuel sources, particularly during conflict when supply routes can be disrupted.
He said the shift to sustainable fuels offered the chance to produce energy locally, delivering energy security and independence in times of conflict as a key benefit.
Another area of collaboration raised at the seminar was the certification of platforms for sustainable fuel use, a process that has taken Australia about 15 years, with all Army rotary-wing and Air Force fixed-wing aircraft now certified.
Commander Cole said Australia's experience meant it could share knowledge to make the certification process easier for others.
The seminar featured speakers from Australia's Department of Defence and the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
Discussions covered the challenges of climate change, including extreme weather events such as heatwaves, flooding, bushfires and cyclones, and their impact on operational capability, as well as the displacement of affected populations.
Commander Cole said he was struck by Bangladesh's commitment to addressing climate change and the participation of young people at the seminar, including students and postgraduates from outside the military.
"I think we can learn a great deal from how they have achieved that level of action and care," he said.
Indo-Pacific Endeavour is an Australian regional engagement activity focused on building partnerships to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
