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 now has 18 signatories, from an inital seven inaugural companies. Each has supported ADS through data and case studies in the composition of our annual reports. 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.
Charter signatories account for over 60% of total industry turnover and over 55% of the UK’s defence employees.
As well as a performance update, this latest report explores the interlinkages between the commitments tracked by the UK Defence ESG Charter framework, and the policies in the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS).
Read the Annual ReportThe 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…
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, the inaugural UK Defence ESG Charter Report, included seven leading defence organisations, showcasing their ongoing, intrinsic commitment to ESG principles.
In the latest annual report, launched in April 2026, 18 signatories are now signed up to the Charter.
This latest Report was supported by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, who said:
“This report demonstrates that the UK defence industry is stepping up in a more dangerous world – not just for the frontline, but in building a workforce and industry fit for the future.
“Thousands of apprentices are being supported to be the next generation of skilled workers across the country and, through our Defence Industrial Strategy, we are working hand-in-hand with the sector to ensure UK defence is on a secure long-term footing.”
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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