Leaked paper suggests all sailors may be forced to attend online training on environmental issues.

The Royal Navy is considering introducing compulsory climate change courses for all sailors, The Telegraph can reveal.

A leaked briefing paper suggests that all Navy personnel could be forced to attend online training sessions about the impact of climate change on defence. The Telegraph has the story.

“While this course is not yet mandated, it does provide a comprehensive overview on the science behind climate change and most importantly its relevance to defence,” the paper reads.

The document, published last autumn, reveals that the Navy’s climate change and sustainability unit is “exploring opportunities” to pay for sailors to study postgraduate courses on global warming.

Environmental scientists could also be given berths on board Britain’s warships to conduct research, the paper says.

“We are developing relationships with universities to offer enduring opportunities to use Royal Navy platforms for their research, such as this December’s deployment in HMS Protector with scientists from Portsmouth University onboard,” it reads.

Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, told The Telegraph that he supported the proposals “as long as one does not go stupid”.

“Climate change is not more important than fighting the King’s enemies, so it has to be done with a balance,” he said.

‘Get a grip’

Andrew Montford, director of the Net Zero Watch think tank, said Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, “needs to get a grip” on the proposals.

“Net zero zealots will sacrifice anything and everything to their irrational faith,” he said.

“Economic security and energy security have already been tossed aside, so it’s no surprise to see national security taking a back seat as well.”

The currently optional “climate change and security awareness” course is hosted on the Navy’s online learning platform.

The Armed Forces will have to hit net zero by 2050 as part of the Government’s broader commitment to the target.

The Navy has previously said it will paint ships with “environmentally friendly” paint, roll out solar power and use more electric vehicles to cut its emissions.

‘In December 2022, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, then chief of the defence staff, said melting ice caps will enable China’s military forces to “reach into the Atlantic” in the coming decades.

The month previously, Lt Gen Richard Nugee, then climate tsar at the Ministry of Defence, added that some warships could be left unable to operate if warming sea temperatures get too high.

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