The defence industry plays an essential role in the security, prosperity and stability of the United Kingdom. Sustainability and national security are intertwined imperatives and the sector has a responsibility to play its part in realising a sustainable future.
The UK Defence ESG Charter is a collaborative effort by the UK’s defence sector that aims to drive ambition and action on sustainability. Promoting greater transparency, signatories to the Charter are dedicated to working together to meet commitments focused on climate transition and clean tech, societal impact and governance and ethics.
The UK Defence ESG Charter had seven inaugural signatories, who have supported ADS through data and case studies in the composition of this report. The Charter itself was also shortlisted for the 2025 Trade Association Forum Awards in the category: Environment, Social & Governance Initiative of the Year.
Contact us on esg@adsgroup.org.uk for more information and to get involved.
The Charter aims to engage all levels of the supply chain to build a sustainable and resilient future for the UK defence industry. It enhances commitments made by the sector and provides a framework for greater ambitions around climate transition and clean tech; societal impact; and governance and ethics. The unified agreement on behalf of the defence sector highlights its ongoing support to environmental, social and governance areas…
Over the last 12 months, the Charter’s first seven signatories have been reporting on 50+ economic and sustainability metrics to establish a clear industry baseline.
Our Annual Report will analyse performance in terms of climate transition and clean tech, societal impact, and governance and ethics.
Read the Annual Report
Launched 25 January 2024, the UK Defence ESG Charter outlines our sector’s firm commitment to building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous United Kingdom. Sustainability is not the responsibility of a single organisation, it is an effort that requires collective action.
The Charter’s inaugural signatories were ADS, Airbus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA, QinetiQ, and Thales.
The Charter was launched with the support of James Cartlidge MP, Minister for Defence Procurement & Industry from April 2023 to July 2024 who stated:
“The invasion of Ukraine has highlighted in the starkest possible way the fragility of the most important social value – peace.
It’s more important than ever we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to ensure they can continue protecting our way of life, alongside becoming more sustainable, reducing skills gaps and promoting a diverse workforce.
I urge more companies to sign up to the new UK Defence ESG Charter, which champions the vital role the sector plays in Britain’s security and prosperity.”
Launched 20 February 2025, in the inaugural UK Defence ESG Charter Report, seven leading defence organisations have showcased their ongoing, intrinsic commitment to ESG principles.
During the launch event, ADS further welcomed 8 new signatories to the charter including Level Peaks, RED Scientific, Rheinmetall Defence UK, RINA, Saab, Safran, Southbourne Rubber and Whitetree.
The Report was launched with the support of Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, who said: :
“The UK defence industry produces world-class equipment that helps keep us and our allies safe. The companies support tens of thousands of skilled jobs and apprentices across the country, all while maintaining the strictest standards of governance.
“Through our Defence Industrial Strategy work we are backing industry to be an engine for UK economic growth. The efforts demonstrated by the sector in the ESG Charter report are a reassuring reminder of our collective commitments to environment, social and governance principles.”
The UK Defence ESG Charter sets out clear commitments on behalf of the sector to enhance our ESG alignment.
Designed with organisations at every level of the supply chain in mind, learn more about how the Charter can support you with your ESG goals and view current ESG Charter signatories.
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