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 has seven signatories, who have supported ADS through data and case studies in the composition of this report. The Charter itself has also been 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.
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 are 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.
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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