The Italian Air Force at the Chief of the Air Staff's Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference 2023, in the presence of the Chiefs of Staff of the world's main air forces, demonstrating the Armed Force's commitment to the decarbonisation path initiated.
On 12 and 13 July, at the’Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET, Savoy Place) in London, the “Chief of the Air Staff’s Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference 2023”to which the Chief of Staff of the Air Force took part,", Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti.
During the Conference, key strategic and geopolitical issues were addressed within the various panels (Sustaining Net Zero Operation, NATO, The Eastern Flank and The High North, The Indo-Pacific, Space & Emerging Technology).
Specifically, for the panel Sustaining Net Zero Operation, the main themes relating to the threats caused by ongoing climate change have been addressed, and strategies have been outlined so that air forces can continue to operate while reducing their footprint environmental. During this initial session, progress made and initiatives launched by the main air forces were reviewed, in line with the Global Air Chiefs Climate Change Collaboration, agreed as part of the GASCC 2022.
The Italian Air Force, through the Logistics Command - Infrastructure Service has the leadership role in Working Group “Infrastructure & Estates”, one of the macro functional areas into which the GAFCCC has been de facto divided. Specifically, the technical working group “Infrastructure & Estate” represents a fundamental pillar for adapting and realising infrastructure with low or zero environmental impact technologies Nearly Energy Zero Building.
In this context, Brigadier General Stefano Cimichella, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Calvello, representing the Infrastructure Service of the Logistic Command, presented the path undertaken by the Armed Force to achieve Net Zero energy for its infrastructural park by 2040, highlighting how the Italian Air Force has long been at the forefront of the fight for environmental sustainability and against climate change.
After the main lines of action for the Defence Energy Strategy implementation plan were outlined, energy efficiency interventions carried out and planned were presented, as well as recent new Defence infrastructure, including the F35 “citadel” at Amendola, built in line with the latest environmental sustainability criteria.
Finally, it was outlined Vision of the Italian Air Force that, thanks to the “Aeroporti Azzurri” infrastructural requalification and enhancement programme, and the implementation of the innovative project for the creation of Smart Military District, of which the first concrete example is the Castro Pretorio Smart District, and the commencement, across all the main bases and bodies of the Armed Forces, of the self-production of energy from renewable sources using photovoltaic fields, will ensure the achievement of challenging objectives in terms of Energy resilience and of decarbonisation of its infrastructural assets by 2040.
Following his presentation, General Cimichella announced the Air Force's intention to organise the 3rd meeting of the Working Group “Infrastructure & Estate”, receiving numerous demonstrations of approval from delegates of different nations.
