How the U.S. Army Is Driving Sustainability Forward?
Sustainability isn’t just about the environment—it’s about survival. The U.S. Army knows this better than most. Whether on the battlefield or at home, the ability to adapt, conserve resources, and plan for the long term is always mission critical.
As one of the largest federal institutions in the country, the Army is uniquely positioned to lead on this front. Through forward-thinking strategy, innovation, and intentional resource management, it’s taking meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact while building a more resilient future.
What Is Sustainability?
At its core, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It rests on three interconnected pillars:
- Environmental
- Economic
- Social
The Army’s sustainability efforts reflect all three—because protecting people also means protecting the planet that supports us.
How the Army Puts Sustainability Into Action
The Army’s commitment to sustainability isn’t just aspirational—it’s operational. Across infrastructure, energy, logistics, and international engagement, the military is rethinking how it builds, moves, and powers its missions.
Here are some of the ways the Army is embedding sustainability into its systems and culture:
Powering Smart Base Camps
One of the most ambitious sustainability programs within the Army is SAGE: Smart and Green Energy for Base Camps. These bases run on smart grids that integrate renewable power, energy storage, and real-time data to optimize consumption.
SAGE reduces energy usage by 30–60% at base camps that house between 600 and 3,000 personnel. The program has already saved the Army millions in annual operating costs—while reducing its carbon footprint and increasing resilience during mission-critical operations.
With open-source software, adaptive tech, and modular utility hardware, SAGE represents what future-forward infrastructure can look like: efficient, agile, and responsible.
Shifting the Mindset
The Army’s commitment to sustainability begins with a cultural shift—recognizing that long-term readiness depends on more than force. It requires resourcefulness, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
By integrating sustainability into its values and operations, the Army not only reduces its own environmental footprint but also contributes to global stability—helping developing nations strengthen infrastructure, economies, and resilience.
As fossil fuels become more costly—and less reliable—the Army is investing in energy-efficient, future-focused alternatives.
Smarter, Greener Structures
The Army relies on thousands of buildings and facilities around the world. And construction is one of the most resource-intensive activities it manages.
To reduce its environmental footprint, the Army is investing in lightweight, modular, and reusable materials—such as fabric-based structures for base operations. These designs require fewer resources, can be quickly deployed or dismantled, and offer better energy performance over time.
Investing in Alternative Energy
Fuel isn’t just expensive—it’s vulnerable. Especially in remote or deployed settings, reliance on fossil fuels can create logistical and strategic challenges. That’s why the Army is diversifying its energy portfolio with renewable, lower-risk alternatives.
Photovoltaic (solar) systems are already in use across base camps worldwide, converting sunlight into reliable power. Wind energy, though more limited on mobile sites, is also being tested. Additionally, the Army is exploring waste-to-fuel technologies, turning trash into usable energy—closing the loop between consumption and production.
These efforts don’t just reduce emissions; they also cut costs and increase energy independence across the force.
Reducing Waste and Pollution
Operations at scale inevitably produce waste—but the Army is working to rethink what happens next.
Across its branches, initiatives are underway to reduce hazardous waste and shift disposal toward more sustainable, regenerative methods. This includes better pollution remediation, improved recycling infrastructure, and cleaner fuel sources to reduce long-term environmental impact.
By turning excess materials into energy, redesigning waste streams, and deploying greener logistics, the Army is not just cleaning up—but changing the system that creates waste in the first place.
The Bottom Line
Sustainability isn’t a side mission. It’s a smart, long-term advantage.
The U.S. Army’s efforts to reduce waste, invest in renewables, and reimagine infrastructure all point to one powerful truth:
Protecting the environment is part of protecting the nation.
From shifting internal mindsets to building next-gen base camps, the Army is modeling how large institutions can lead by example. Its sustainability efforts safeguard not only mission success, but the health and future of the communities it serves—at home and around the globe.
Sustainability isn’t just about operations—it shows up in the everyday experience, too. That’s why IHG® Army Hotels, in partnership with Centinel, is working with the Army to offer greener, more efficient lodging facilities for our guests across the country.
The Green Engage program has upgraded infrastructure, improved comfort for military families, and created a self-sustaining model that puts extra funds right back into base operations. Many of the colleagues running these hotels are veterans or military family members themselves—bringing a deep sense of care to every stay.
IHG® is proud to stand alongside the Army in making hospitality more responsible, ensuring that where service members stay reflects the values they serve to protect.
(c) 2025 IHG Hotels & Resorts. All rights reserved. IHG Army Hotels properties are independently owned by Rest Easy LLC, a Centinel Public Partnerships company, and operated by an affiliate of IHG. No DoD, US Army or federal government endorsement implied. For information on Centinel, visit CentinelUS.com.