PODCAST: Balancing military capability and clean energy transition, with Felix Bowman-Derrick

Joint-capabilities
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By: Jessa Sargento

In this renewable energy and environment-focused episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Felix Bowman-Derrick, Assistant Secretary of Environment and Engineering in the infrastructure division of the Department of Defence’s security and estate group.

In this renewable energy and environment-focused episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Felix Bowman-Derrick, Assistant Secretary of Environment and Engineering in the infrastructure division of the Department of Defence’s security and estate group.

Bowman-Derrick holds a bachelor of environmental science (environmental management, honours) from Deakin University and an executive master of public administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.

He has previously worked with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The pair discuss:

  • Bowman-Derrick’s perspectives on how the Australian Defence Force and Defence are improving their renewable energy usage and environmental sustainability under the Net Zero Strategy and Future Energy Strategy.
  • Australia’s need to balance these crucial policies with military resilience and lethal capability.
  • The importance of contributing to Australia’s emissions reduction target of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050, through the Defence estate.
  • Initiatives being implemented and developed such as energy resilience with large solar farms and the upgrade of lighting and heating systems to recycling uniforms and tyres into new materials.
  • Defence’s priorities for environmental management and policy into the immediate future, examples being displayed at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and how industry partners can get involved in the journey along the way.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: THE PROGRESS REPORT: The mission to make military children visible
Episode 10: PODCAST: Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem, with DEWC Services’ Rian Whitby
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference, with Keith Bulfin
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: The fragility of Australia’s energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO
Episode 6: PODCAST: The MC-55A Peregrine and the future of ADF airborne reconnaissance, with Alan Clements
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Episode 4: PODCAST: AUKUS infrastructure, public perceptions and nuclear-powered submarines, with Fred Thomas MP
Episode 3: THE PROGRESS REPORT: From the cockpit to the dockyard
Episode 2: PODCAST: Iran escalation, munitions supplies and the Middle East’s path to peace

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