A net-zero blueprint for the military's energy and land use has been developed to future-proof Australia's war-fighting capabilities.
"Climate change is a national security issue that will increase challenges for Australia, defence and our region," Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said on Friday, releasing the plans.
The Defence Net Zero Strategy sets out "practical and sensible" ways of reducing the environmental impact and carbon emissions of the government's largest landholder and energy user, Mr Conroy said.
These include using more renewable electricity, changing to lower-emission fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and investigating carbon sequestration on defence land.
The Defence Future Energy Strategy shows how to transition the Australian Defence Force to using lower-carbon energy types without the loss of military capability, preparedness, or interoperability with allies.
When a national strategy was released in April, critics said it failed to include a response to future risks to Australia from climate-induced mass migration, global food shortages and world poverty.
"The challenges arising from climate change are recognised in the National Defence Strategy and defence is taking action," Mr Conroy said.
The junior defence minister said the shift to net zero not only contributed to making Australians safer but also enhanced the nation's standing in the Indo-Pacific.
"Action on climate change is part of the defence mission to defend Australia and its national interests," Mr Conroy said.
The strategies were also designed to avoid costs that would arise through inaction on net zero, he said.
Australia's targets of a 43 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050 include defence operations and assets.
Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty said the sector must demonstrate leadership in the transition away from fossil fuels and develop its own energy production capabilities, which would also boost national energy security.
"Alternate energy sources that are wholly generated in Australia through sovereign capabilities are highly attractive to defence," he said.
An energy assessment backed renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and electrification for land over the short to medium term.
Hydrogen, uranium, and electrification for selected air and maritime applications were identified as long-term alternative energy options.
The strategy was described as the "first step" in maintaining capability and interoperability, while contributing to the federal government's decarbonisation commitments.
It will also maximise value for money for the taxpayer by transitioning from "increasingly expensive fossil fuels to emerging commercial alternatives over the long term", according to the plan.
But conventional fossil fuels were expected to remain part of the military's energy mix beyond 2050, albeit at a reduced proportion, it said.
