The Royal Navy has adopted a new approach to minimising its impact on the environment that could become a blueprint for other Naval services.
HMS Kent © Royal Navy
It has produced Environmental Protection Guidelines (Maritime) (EPG(M)), an interactive military layer of electronic charting which provides advice on the suitability of military activities in the vicinity of designated marine protected areas across the UK’s marine area.
By following these guidelines, ship planners and operators can be confident that their actions and exercises minimise the risks to the environment and are not contravening legal restrictions.
The EPG(M) provides details for consideration across all activities undertaken by the Royal Navy near marine protected areas, and covers activities taking place in the air, on land, at sea or underwater. The Navy has signed a Statement of Intent committing itself to the new guidelines.
Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Capability) Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, said:
“The marine environment faces an array of increasing pressures and expanding legal protection aims to safeguard certain species and areas. The Royal Navy is not exempt from this legislation and our planners, ships, staff and aircrew face a growing range of environmental considerations, not only during training but also when on operations. EPG(M) works within our electronic charting system to offer clear and interactive guidance to our people when planning so that they can continue to deliver the UK’s maritime defence priorities safely.
I believe that this is a real advance and further tangible evidence of the effort being expended by the RN to protect the environment and minimise our ecological impact.”
It is thought that the EPG(M) is the first of its kind among Naval forces. Currently the EPG(M) offers guidance for the UK marine area only, but work is underway to expand the tool to cover the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and EU waters.
You can read more on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website here.
2 comments
Comment by Roisin Robertson posted on
Good thinking....
Comment by Kevin Bennetts posted on
What will they do?... send a gunboat?