NATO AJEPP-7 PDF

INTRODUCTION

This document is developed as a best practices handbook for commanders and military training area managers.

For decades there has been growing international consensus for the importance of Environmental Protection (EP) and biodiversity, i.e. the variety of flora and fauna species along with their genetic variation and the complex ecosystems of which they are a part. Locally, biodiversity contributes to the distinctive character of an area and enriches quality of life.

NATO nations have been among the world leaders in advancing the state of EP science and practice. Indeed, military and other governmental agencies are frequently among the first institutions to adopt national EP measures. As environmental quality, including air, water, and soil quality and biodiversity, declines worldwide, the flexibility of national and supranational EP policy to allow potentially harmful activities will decline. Effects may impact the availability, accessibility and capability of national military training areas over time. National training is the first step in NATO-force generation, thus underlining the importance of having adequate national training possibilities available with minimal restrictions on its use.

There are varying views on what effects military training has on the environment, but it has been shown that military training areas often exhibit greater ecological value than surrounding areas. In many nations a higher percentage of military lands versus non-military lands are designated as protected areas. For this reason, efforts have been initiated to increase awareness of the positive relationship between military land use and biodiversity.

To help sustain this relationship and ensure that military training can continue as necessary, the use of applicable best practices should be documented.

The purpose of this document is to present best practices:

a. To safeguard the natural and cultural environment, primarily within1 the training area, while maximizing its use as a training resource;

b. To balance military training and environmental considerations;

c. To increase awareness of a positive relationship between military training and environmental considerations; and

d. To increase environmental awareness of training units.

The scope of this document focuses on best practices related to sustainable management of military training areas with regards to natural and cultural resources. It covers military training areas that support training of land, air and amphibious operations. A training area is a designated area specifically delineated for the conduct of operational training and testing activities. This document does not apply to military training and activities at sea.

Other NATO and national publications cover maritime applications, pollution with regards to radiation, hazardous material management and waste management (including petroleum, oil and lubricants).

The best practices presented are intended to be applied voluntarily; this is not a legally binding document.