Six national guard camps are to be run as environmentally friendly prototypes for the rest to follow, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Michalis Giorgallas said that the national guard has a very important role in society and therefore must do what it can to contribute towards the government’s green efforts – such as photovoltaic systems in all camps.

Therefore, he explained, the ministry has enacted its environmental action plan – environmental management and audit system (EMAS) – which has been implemented at six camps.

That includes energy saving and efficiency, proper waste management, reducing pollution, and other measures.

He explained that the ministry is to team up with Green Dot and the environment department.

Elsewhere, it was explained that funding of €19 million has been secured to install photovoltaics in the camps with an estimated production capacity estimated at 12 gigawatts. The works are set to begin this year and be completed by 2027.

Other efforts include energy upgrades such as LED lighting.