Hosted by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the 2022 Sanctuary Awards virtually celebrated their 30th anniversary to praise recent sustainability success across Defence.
The Ministry of Defence are committed to sustainability, with the RAF pledging to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2040. The Sanctuary Awards celebrate the success of projects and teams working to tackle climate change and protect the environment.
From improving public access and education, preserving wildlife and archaeological history, to using innovative materials or methods, the below award winners are all contributing to the Net Zero Carbon ambition.
"DIO takes this work incredibly seriously and we are pleased to continue to contribute to the wider Defence and government sustainability targets. Well done to all of the winners and thank you for your contribution to making Defence greener."
Richard Brooks
Environmental Support and Compliance Lead DIO
Net Zero and Resource Efficiency Award
The Net-Zero Carbon Accommodation Programme will see old accommodation being replaced with new carbon efficient versions that reduce energy consumption. The buildings will have solar panels and recycling methods; with some even having rainwater harvesting installations and SMART technology to monitor energy usage.
The Programme is being delivered by DIO, in partnership with Landmarc Support Services, and modular construction specialists Reds10.
Over 50 buildings will create 2,500 new bed spaces across locations including Westdown, Knook and Rollestone Camps on Salisbury Plain, Castlemartin Camp in Wales, Brunswick Camp in the south-east, West Tofts Camp in East Anglia and Nesscliff Camp in Shropshire.
Environmental Enhancement Award
Operation CORDED supports Counter Illegal Wildlife Trade Rangers working to conserve Sub-Saharan African wildlife from extinction, by deploying equipment and trainers to improve their skillset and equipment. Military Intelligence Corps Reservist have also deployed, to train Rangers to identify poaching patterns.
Limited resources and knowledge results in almost two Rangers being killed every week, while carrying out their dangerous but vital job for nature conservation. Operation CORDED is a prime example of how the unique skills and specialist knowledge of our Armed Forces can be utilised to solve problems, save lives, and move towards a more sustainable future.
Individual Achievement Award and Silver Otter Trophy
Previously a Range Safety Officer, Nigel Linge is now retired but continues to work for Project UBIQUE, balancing military training with public access across the Salisbury Plain Training Area. He devises new plans and organises volunteers to improve pathway, while strengthens relationships between stakeholders and parish councils across the area.
Heritage Award
In 2020, a team of military veterans worked with archaeologists on Operation Nightingale, to excavate a site on the Salisbury Plain. Uncovering the remains took three weeks, before the impact military training had on the Late Bronze Age settlement was revealed. The veterans were then able to reconstruct one of the prehistoric houses, at Butser Ancient Farm.
Sustainable Procurement and Construction Award
Costing £250 million, DIO worked with Skanska to redevelop the Worthy Down military base with several buildings, facilities, and up to 800 units of accommodation.
The key components were factory built before assembly on-site, to cut carbon emissions. The demolition material was also recycled during construction to avoid disposal costs, environmental damage, and waste.
Special measures were taken to protect animals, birds and bats, with new habitat areas planted to rehome the wildlife and even increase the biodiversity by an estimated 63%.
Social Value Award
The Re-Cycle Programme saw old bicycles across RAF Lossiemouth sold to raise money for the Moray Emergency Relief Fund, and then replaced with a new hire facility.
Around 150 replacement bicycles were generated, with RAF Leuchars donating a further 17 bikes and the NAAFI Fund providing considerable financial support. The local community also provide free maintenance and critical safety checks.
Success from the Programme has accredited RAF Lossiemouth with the Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme, to train the next generation of bike mechanics at a fraction of the cost. Ultimately, the Stations actions have recycled while educating personnel and families to reduce their carbon footprint and boost their health and wellbeing.
Additionally, the Kier VolkerFitzpatrick project saw the major construction of RAF Lakenheath, creating innovative solutions that has generated over £53 million of social value in the last year alone.
Work began with DIO in November 2018, to grow the Station’s sustainable environment. 42% of costs have gone towards local small/medium enterprises; promoting local businesses and feeding back into the local community, while using closer resources to reduce emission costs.
Congratulations to the success of the award winners
Read more about the RAF's ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2040 here.
