Balancing military capability and clean energy transition, with Felix Bowman-Derrick

In this renewable energy and environment-focused episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Felix Bowman-Derrick, Assistant Secretary of Environment and Engineering in the infrastructure division of the Department of Defence’s security and estate group.

Bowman-Derrick holds a bachelor of environmental science (environmental management, honours) from Deakin University and an executive master of public administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.

He has previously worked with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The pair discuss:

• Bowman-Derrick’s perspectives on how the Australian Defence Force and Defence are improving their renewable energy usage and environmental sustainability under the Net Zero Strategy and Future Energy Strategy.
• Australia’s need to balance these crucial policies with military resilience and lethal capability.
• The importance of contributing to Australia’s emissions reduction target of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050, through the Defence estate.
• Initiatives being implemented and developed, such as energy resilience with large solar farms and the upgrade of lighting and heating systems, to recycling uniforms and tyres into new materials.
• Defence’s priorities for environmental management and policy into the immediate future, examples being displayed at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and how industry partners can get involved in the journey along the way.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team