Decarbonising Defence: Reconciling the Green Agenda with the Reindustrialisation of Europe’s Defence Sector - IRIS

This commentary explores the intersection between Europe’s reindustrialisation of its defence sector and the European Union’s (EU) decarbonisation agenda. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated efforts to strengthen Europe’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), yet this rearmament drive occurs alongside legally binding climate neutrality targets. The commentary examines whether these objectives are in tension or can be reconciled through innovation, regulatory adaptation and industrial transformation. It analyses evolving EU policies – such as the European Green Deal, the European Defence Industrial Strategy and the Draghi Report – highlighting emerging synergies between competitiveness and sustainability. By assessing the roles of the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Agency and NATO, the commentary identifies pathways for integrating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and circular economy principles into defence production. Ultimately, it argues that aligning defence revitalisation with the green transition is central to ensuring Europe’s long-term strategic autonomy, resilience and technological leadership.