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Sustainability

In the jungle: Operating alongside the flora and fauna of Belize

Close up of the head and shoulders of a soldier wearing camouflage uniform and a helmet. He is pointing a rifle directly at the camera and only his left eye can be seen.

Did you know that the British Army undertakes Close Country Tropical Training within the jungles of Belize? The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), supported by DIO, operates on one of the MOD’s overseas training areas, which we share …

Year in review: What DIO has achieved in 2023

A large group of people standing on a chalk image carved into the side of a hill.

It’s been a busy year for us at DIO. From supporting the Coronation of King Charles III to supplying more than 20,000kg of turkey to Armed Forces personnel over Christmas, our teams have been working hard to help our Armed …

Celebrating the 2022 Sanctuary Awards

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Conservation, Defence Estate, Sustainability
A silver trophy consisting of an otter with a fish in its mouth, perched on top of a rectangular plinth into which is inscribed: 'Sanctuary Award Silver Otter'

Since 1991, the Sanctuary Awards have been recognising outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the MOD. The awards celebrate group and individual-led projects that are benefiting sustainable development and helping to conserve the environment, natural resources and heritage across Defence’s …

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: managing waste on the UK Defence Training Estate

  Recycle Week is back! This year it’s all about ‘getting real’ and providing clarity about recycling. Penny Arnold, a Team Supervisor at Landmarc, explains how waste is managed on the UK Defence Training Estate. Recycle Week in a nutshell …

Maintaining and protecting woodlands on the UK Defence Training Estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Training Estate (DTE), Forestry, Landmarc, Sustainability, Wildlife
Woodland in Sennybridge with sun coming through the trees

Woodland at Sennybridge [Copyright Finn Beales] Did you know we're right in the middle of Forest Week, and that the UK Defence Training Estate is made up of  20,000 hectares of woodland? To help celebrate Forest Week, Judith Peachey, Forestry …

No Mow May at RAF St Mawgan: the best excuse for not mowing the lawn!

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence Training Estate (DTE), Environment and Ecology, Sustainability
A photo showing a field of tall grass, with buildings to the left and an airport to the right. In the foreground is a sign reading 'RAF St Mawgan: Phil Lamb Way'

I’m Samuel Ibbotson, an Estate Facility Manager for DIO. My role is an interesting and varied one, and this summer at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall has been no exception, following a station-wide “No Mow May” initiative. First launched in …

Sanctuary Awards 2021: Celebrating 30 years of achievements in conservation and sustainability

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment and Ecology, Sanctuary Awards, Sustainability
A trophy which features a silver, metal otter with a fish in its mouth, perched atop a black square base. On the base of the trophy is a plaque which reads: 'Sanctuary Award, presented to MOD conservation officer by Otterburn Training Area, for annual presentation for the best conservation project on MOD land, 1991.

I’m Julia Powell, Head of Policy, Climate Change and Sustainability within the MOD’s new Climate Change and Sustainability Directorate. This year, I also had the challenging but exciting role of being Chair of Judges for what were the 30th annual …

British Science Week 2022: Taking on the sustainability challenge across the Service Family Accommodation Estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Accommodation, Energy, Sustainability
The image shows a row of terraced houses, fronted by a grass lawn with flowers in the foreground.

This week is British Science Week, a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. This year’s theme is ‘growth’ and in DIO, we are showcasing some key projects through which we are using science and innovation to reduce the Defence …

British Science Week 2022: Using green innovation to deliver carbon efficient training accommodation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Construction, Defence Training Estate (DTE), Sustainability
An aerial view of the two new double storey, carbon neutral accommodation buildings at Brunswick Camp. The buildings are a light green colour, with rows of solar panels along their roofs. Surrounding the two new buildings are a range of older barracks buildings and other facilities, with roads connecting the different areas of the camp.

Today marks the start of British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. This year’s theme is ‘growth’ and in Defence, we are highlighting the ways in which science and innovation are being harnessed to grow …

Extreme E: An electrifying race weekend at Bovington Training Area

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: British Army, Defence Training Estate (DTE), Sustainability
The photo was taken from the side of the racetrack and shows two Extreme E SUVs passing over a jump. The car in front is on the descent while the other follows closely behind in mid-air over the jump. In the background is a row of trees adjacent to the track.

Over the weekend of 18-19 December 2021, we had the exciting task of hosting the final race of the inaugural season of Extreme E at Bovington Training Area (BTA) in Dorset. Extreme E is an international off-road, electric racing series …