Report on effects of a changing climate to the Department of Defense

This report responds to section 335 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91). It provides an assessment of the significant vulnerabilities from climate-related events in order to identify high risks to U.S. mission effectiveness on installations and to operations.

The effects of a changing climate are a national security issue with potential impacts to Department of Defense (DoD or the Department) missions, operational plans, and installations.  Our 2018 National Defense Strategy prioritizes long-term strategic competition with great power competitors by focusing the Department’s efforts and resources to:  1) build a more lethal force, 2) strengthen alliances and attract new partners, and 3) reform the Department’s processes.

To achieve these goals, DoD must be able to adapt current and future operations to address the impacts of a variety of threats and conditions, including those from weather and natural events.  To that end, DoD factors in the effects of the environment into its mission planning and execution to build resilience.