Defence and climate: is a common agenda possible?

How Europe’s defence sector can align to climate goals without compromising security needs

In this episode of the Sound of Economics, we look at the present and future efforts of the defence sector to integrate climate sustainability. Host Rebecca Christie is joined by Bruegel's Simone Tagliapietra and Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech for Baltics. Together, they explore the challenges and practical steps to decarbonise defence. What are the key policy actions needed at the European level?

Relevant research:

• Ristkok, K. and L. Balciume (2025), 'Cleantech for Defence, Security and Resilience (cleantechforbaltics.com/white-paper-cleantech-…)', White paper, Cleantech for Baltics

• Tagliapietra, S. (2025), ‘Defence and climate: seven points for a common agenda (bruegel.org/analysis/defence-and-climate-seven…)', Analysis, Bruegel