The United States has made remarkable strides in climate action at the federal level, with initiatives such as Executive Orders, the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These legislative efforts not only contribute to lower emissions but also play a crucial role in bolstering national security and enhancing American economic competitiveness.

The Intelligence and Defense communities have long recognized the destabilizing impact of climate change on global interests, exacerbating tensions and contributing to geopolitical risks. The Department of Defense's Climate Risk Analysis underscores the imperative for realistic climate risk assessments across policy and planning functions, highlighting the need for a more resilient force capable of operating under diverse and often, adverse climate conditions.

Acknowledging the reality of climate change, the U.S. Department of Defense, with bipartisan support, has implemented measures to foster a more sustainable and resilient force, without compromising lethality.As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Resilience, I was part of the team that crafted the Department's first-ever Climate Adaptation Plan and GHG Reduction Plan, charting a comprehensive course for climate adaptation and mitigation.

While a clear pathway to "net-zero" emissions for the entire Department of Defense is yet to be defined, advanced technologies offer significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing operational capability. The electrification of the Department's vehicle fleet, including all non-tactical and partial electrification of tactical vehicles, stands out as an area with dual benefits, contributing to fuel savings and operational effectiveness.

Production of electric vehicles is not only a strategic imperative for national security but also a critical element in the geopolitical competition. The Department of Defense’s recent Section 328 Report notes that one of the strategic goals of the Communist Party of China is to dominate the global battery supply chain. This report also highlights the importance of reducing dependence on foreign sources of key minerals and battery components. Initiatives like the DoD led, Federal Consortium of Advanced Batteries and DoD's Lithium Battery Strategy 2023-2030 demonstrate a proactive approach to address these vulnerabilities.

Positive indicators of success due to investment and innovation are starting to emerge.Battery manufacturing capacity in the US is set to grow by over 500 GwH by 2025. Advances in manufacturing techniques and recovery methods further mitigate the demand for new sources of critical minerals, particularly lithium.And new, sodium-ion batteries, that require very limited quantities of raw minerals are now entering the marketplace.These indicators are good for America and good for the Department of Defense.

The clean energy transition, while challenging, is essential for building secure supply chains, not only for the private sector but also for our military industrial base. Our ability to compete with China in critical minerals, batteries, and renewables is paramount for long-term security.The country that wins the race to the clean energy future, wins.But we only win if we compete.

As President Harry S. Truman once said, "America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." The clean energy transition is indeed a formidable task, but our nation is more than capable of rising to the challenge.