Development and application of a methodological framework for assessing the resilience of military infrastructure against climate change impacts

¹ Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, Lesvos, Greece
² Inspection & Certification Division, TÜV Hellas (TÜV Nord), Athens, Greece
³ Department of Water Resources & Environmental Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
⁴ Environmental Research Laboratory, National Centre for Scientific Research “Democritus”, Athens, Greece

^* Corresponding author: Envd21009@env.aegean.gr ; iliasmanolis@hotmail.com

Abstract

Mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing the resilience capacity of military infrastructure is essential for the Armed Forces, first, to ensure a high level of both readiness and sustainability transitions and, second, to contribute to each EU Member-State’s (MS) specific energy and climate goals. According to this study’s bibliographical research, there are not in place systematic methodological approaches that assess in quantitative terms existing resilience factors of military infrastructure against climate change impacts and offer tangible solutions, which aim to enhance these resilience factors. From all military assets, those of the airports deem to be the most vulnerable, due to their high exposure to extreme weather phenomena. This study is targeting to cover this identified gap by conducting an analytical methodology in very practical terms, following a similar concept and structure with the methods applied to civilian airport facilities, whist, at the same time taking into consideration the defence airport specificities, in terms of structure and operation. This methodological approach is test-based on the 116Combat Wing, located at Araxos’ Airport, Achaia. Results indicate the climatic hazard that demands immediate action and provide a tool that estimates dedicated cost allocations.