The U.S. Army's third annual sustainability report shows a 17.2 percent reduction in accidental military fatalities, and a 12.6 percent decrease in civilian lost time and fatal claims during fiscal 2009.

The U.S. Army's third annual sustainability report shows a 17.2 percent reduction in accidental military fatalities, and a 12.6 percent decrease in civilian lost time and fatal claims during fiscal 2009.

Covering fiscal 2009, the report documents successes and improvements in the Army sustainability areas of human capital, training and operations, materiel and acquisitions, services and infrastructure.

Released by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, the report is a key component in publicly communicating Army sustainability initiatives and accomplishments by providing an overview of Army operations and presenting a quantitative and qualitative assessment of Army progress according to Global Reporting Initiative framework and other sustainability indicators. The report also begins publically communicating the Army's progress in implementing presidential Executive Order 13514 -- Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. The Army is the first department in the Federal government to align GRI and EO 13514 reporting.

In releasing the report, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment Katherine Hammack said the report will serve as a road map to relate ongoing and new sustainability efforts. "The Army Sustainability Report highlights our actions and accomplishments. To accelerate our progress, the Army's senior leadership initiated a comprehensive sustainability campaign plan to institutionalize sustainability throughout the Army's core enterprises: human capital; training and operations; materiel and acquisitions; and services and infrastructure."

She noted the report is oriented to these four tenets of sustainability. Each section of the report addresses topics of note, reports on EO 13514, DoD and Army sustainability metrics and highlights successes. The successes span the sustainability spectrum from reduced accidents to increased recycling, quality of life improvements, and increased cooperation with communities.

The report shows that the Army built 127 new Child Development Centers and 23 new Youth Centers between fiscal 2008 -- 2009 in support of soldier and family quality of life. Operating hours at these and similar facilities were also extended. The number of supporting communities signing community covenant support agreements increased by 297 percent with 338 covenants in place at the end of fiscal 2009, up from only 85 at the end of fiscal 2008.

In 2009, the Army reduced hazardous waste disposal by 28.4 percent, compared to calendar year 2008. The recycling rate for solid waste and construction demolition debris increased from 58 percent in fiscal 2008 to 60 percent in 2009. New environmental enforcement actions were reduced by 42.3 percent with only 75 new actions received in fiscal 2009 as compared to 130 new actions the year before.

The number of acres protected by the Army compatible use buffer partnerships increased by 120,607; a 25.3 percent increase from fiscal 2008.

"Our plan is to appropriately manage our natural resources with a goal of net zero to ensure success of our primary mission of securing, protecting, and defending this Nation, while reducing costs and sustaining or increasing overall performance," Hammack said. She noted an increase in number of installations having strategic sustainability plans, or having integrated sustainability considerations into their Installation Strategic Plan, saying 30 installations have plans in place, a 42.9 percent increase when compared to 21 installations at end of fiscal 2008.

The full report can be found at http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/222038.pdf