EU defence officials gathered in Warsaw on June 17-18 for the first conference under the fourth phase of the EU’s flagship defence and sustainable energy initiative, aiming to reduce military dependence on fossil fuels while reinforcing operational resilience.
The two-day event brought together around 140 participants from 25 countries (23 EU Member States, Norway and Serbia) under the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS), managed by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER). Hosted under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and by Poland’s Ministry of Defence, the conference set the tone for the programme’s next four years, which will run until September 2028.
While the new phase — CF SEDSS IV — formally began in late 2024, the Warsaw conference marked the community’s first full plenary in the new phase, after a decade of steady progress. With the EU targeting climate neutrality by 2050 and proposing a 90% net emissions reduction by 2040, ministries of defence are being urged to take a more proactive role.
“Energy sustainability and defence resilience go hand in hand. Less fossil fuels, smarter energy management, more energy efficiency and stronger critical energy infrastructure contribute to stronger defence,” EDA’s Director of Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE), Sean White, told the conference. “A greener, more energy-secure and resilient Europe starts with us.”
Krzysztof Zielski, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, underlined: “Our task today and in the years ahead is not simply to adapt to change, but to shape the future of defence energy strategy with responsibility and resolve. In doing so we honour our duty not only to our nations, but to the stability of Europe as a whole.” The forum exemplifies the impact of unity between science, industry and defence, he said.
Katarzyna Smyk, Head of European Commission Representation, Poland, also underscored the significance of this initiative, stating: “The energy transition presents a unique opportunity for EU military forces to enhance their capabilities and maintain superiority. Equally important is the necessity of enhanced civil-military cooperation to bolster the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. In this framework, the CF SEDSS remains an excellent platform to contribute to reaching these important results.”
In his keynote speech, Paweł Wronka, Representative of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces said: "The military supports the protection of critical energy infrastructure. We face cyber attacks daily. Energy, as a strategic factor, is vital for the country to operate."
Renewables, digitilsation
Speakers highlighted that energy transition offers critical gains: reducing dependency on fossil fuel imports, improving supply resilience, and mitigating vulnerabilities exposed by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The event also addressed threats to critical infrastructure, including hybrid attacks in European sea basins.
The conference launched a comprehensive work programme including six plenary sessions, energy technology exhibitions, and crisis-response exercises focused on critical infrastructure. Key areas include energy efficiency, renewables, protection of critical energy infrastructure, battery storage, smart buildings, and digitalisation.
Innovative projects are already underway. In the forum’s previous phase, the Symbiosis Project began work on how offshore renewables such as wind farms can co-exist with military activities in the maritime domain — a model of civil-military cooperation.
The new phase seeks to build on these achievements, leveraging over 50 project ideas and 15 studies generated since the Forum’s launch in 2015. The conference also served to reinvigorate cross-border collaboration after a period of limited in-person engagement. Officials praised the event as a springboard for deeper cooperation and a symbol of continuity amid shifting security dynamics.
More about the CF SEDSS