MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND CLIMATE CHANGE: DOING MORE, WITH LESS AND BETTER

Resumo

As we know, the world stands at a critical juncture – on the brink of irreversible damage due to global warming. This tipping point demands urgent, decisive action, leaving no space for indifference, hesitation, or delay. In this context, considering climate change as a threat multiplier, institutions with centuries – if not millennia – of history, such as the military, cannot afford to overlook this pressing glocal challenge. Given its vast social influence, operational reach, and sheer scale as a major collective force, the military has a unique responsibility to act. The question we seek to address is both timely and provocative: should military priorities remain exclusively focused on mission effectiveness, or must environmental efficiency – aligned with global climate preservation and mitigation goals – become an integral pillar of military doctrine and leadership decision-making. This transformation would transcend existing frameworks advocated by organizations like the United Nations and the European Union. Furthermore, we will explore which leadership models are best suited to navigate this dual imperative, balancing operational excellence with environmental governance.