19 December 2023

Costain’s Professor Julian Hasinski has been selected to chair NATO’s first ever study into how the group should mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The study, led by the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG), will advise NATO on what operational changes need to occur in response to climate change and what investments are needed to future-proof its assets.

The study is the first of its kind awarded to the NIAG. The Study Team of 25 Defence Contractors from the NATO nations, including: BAE SYSTEMS, Thales and Leonardo, will be led by Professor Hasinski and will meet over the next year. The team will examine NATO’s assets, platforms, and interoperability across maritime, air and land, including aircraft, weapons, and radio systems. The study will use insights generated from all contractors to make recommendations on both mitigation and adaption strategies.

One of the most important recommendations from this study will be how NATO adapts its fuel requirements. NATO currently has a single fuel policy across its land, sea and air assets. However, as nations move towards net zero, the available fuels will change dramatically. Future proofing fuel requirements for assets and operations will therefore be critical.

Bob Anstey OBE, defence & nuclear sector director at Costain said: “Infrastructure and operations across the world face a huge challenge from climate change. There is an urgent need to invest in systems and technologies that mitigate the impact and we are proud of Costain’s expertise in finding sustainable solutions to complex problems. It is hugely exciting that NATO is bringing together expert teams from across the globe to understand how it can do this in its own operations.

“Julian was selected by a panel of his peers across the defence industry, which is a testament to the high regard in which he is held. His work with NATO is indicative of his and Costain’s capabilities and expertise in the defence sector, which has grown over many decades. Everyone at Costain is very proud of Julian’s leadership.”

The NIAG conducts an annual programme of research to support activities across NATO and associated bodies. Each year, NATO Armaments Groups pitch ideas for studies, and this year over 30 suggestions were made with just eight taken forward. This research is carried out by Study Groups, made up of industrial experts from national delegations. The study this year, to advise on the necessary developments to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, was recognised as a key issue for the organisation and was strongly supported by the UK NATO delegation. 

Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Defence Capability at BAE Systems and Head of UK Delegation to the NIAG said: “This study looks into a crucial issue for future defence capability; we are very lucky to have Julian lead the study, and to have such an experienced, committed and capable member in the UK NIAG team. I am grateful to Costain for the support it is providing through the wide-ranging work that Julian undertakes.”

Professor Julian Hasinski is a Principal Systems Based Approach Consultant at Costain. He has worked in the defence industry for over twenty years and taken part in eight NATO studies. This will be the second time he has chaired a study, the first being in 2020 which looked at Submarine Warfare Preparedness.  He also took part in a study in 2008/09 on the regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which established industry standards for regulation and standardisation of drones.

The group met for the first time earlier this year at Costain’s Maidenhead headquarters, and interim findings will be offered to the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) Climate conference in April 2024.

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Enquiries:

Jemma Savage, Headland, [email protected]

George Parrett, Costain, [email protected]

 

Notes to Editors

About Costain

Costain helps to improve people’s lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet thrive. We shape, create, and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the infrastructure ecosystem across the UK’s energy, water, transportation, and defence markets.

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