Defense vs. Sustainability: How will the Nordics Navigate NATO’s 2% Target?

While Nordic Insights is deeply committed to climate and sustainability, we also recognize the importance of global peace and security. In recent years, the Nordic countries have made notable progress toward meeting NATO’s Wales Summit target from 2014, which calls for member nations to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defense. By 2024, total defense spending in the Nordics is projected to reach $30.6 billion USD—an impressive increase of 61.9% since 2014. However, this sharp rise in military expenditure also prompts a crucial question: Is this growth coming at the expense of climate goals?

Where Do the Nordic Countries Stand?

• Denmark has increased defense spending from 1.1% of GDP in 2014 to 2.4% in 2024, meeting NATO targets.
• Norway will raise defense spending to 2.2% of GDP in 2024, up from 1.5% in 2014 to address security concerns.
• Sweden and Finland are on track to spend 2.1% and 2.4% of GDP by 2024 after joining NATO in 2023.

Iceland’s Role in Defense

Iceland plays a unique role in Nordic defense without having a traditional military. As a key NATO hub, the Keflavík Air Base is vital for Arctic operations and airspace monitoring over the North Atlantic. At the same time, Iceland’s strong sustainability record makes it a natural leader in the upcoming Nordic Council Session 2024, where Arctic, security, and climate issues will be central.

Will the Nordics Lead the Way?

The Nordic countries, known for their leadership in sustainability, now face the challenge of aligning rising defense budgets with climate and biodiversity goals. By integrating eco-friendly practices into military strategies, they can show how security can coexist with environmental protection.

1. Sustainable Military Operations: Military exercises and operations are evolving to reduce environmental damage. This includes limiting training in ecologically sensitive areas, using renewable energy sources during exercises, and incorporating environmental monitoring to ensure minimal impact on biodiversity. By reducing carbon emissions and protecting ecosystems, military forces can better align with climate and biodiversity objectives.
2. Protecting Biodiversity: Defense activities often take place in natural environments, many of which are rich in biodiversity. New practices include conducting environmental impact assessments before operations, rerouting exercises away from critical habitats, and restoring degraded military training areas to promote wildlife recovery. These steps ensure that military preparedness does not come at the cost of long-term ecosystem health.
3. Energy-Efficient Technologies: Integrating green technologies into defense, such as electric vehicles for on-base operations or renewable energy-powered systems, can reduce the carbon footprint of military activities. These innovations not only cut emissions but also support the transition to a more sustainable defense sector.

As the Nordic Council Session 2024 focuses on both security and climate, will there be concrete initiatives to align defense strategies with climate action and biodiversity protection? Could Iceland’s leadership inspire defense policies that safeguard both security and the environment?