What is the UK Defence ESG Charter?

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.

Contact us on esg@adsgroup.org.uk for more information and to get involved.

The Charter's Vision

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…

Climate transition and clean technology

  • Decarbonising the sector’s supply chain
  • Contributing to clean and innovative technologies
  • Increasing supply chain resilience on critical mineral resources

Societal
impact

  • Improving diversity, equality and inclusion at all levels
  • Helping address the STEM skills shortage in the UK
  • Strengthening and building meaningful partnerships

Governance
and ethics

  • Building greater cyber resilience
  • Sustaining comprehensive export control systems
  • Sustaining and growing sovereign capabilities

UK Defence ESG Charter

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A new framework for ESG standards

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.

Read the ESG Charter (PDF)

Benefits of being a Charter Signatory

Enhanced
Reputation
Networking
Opportunities
Competitive
Advantage
Positive
Societal Impact

Onboarding & Engagement

  1. Understand the charter: familiarise yourself with the charter commitments and its significance for the industry.
  2. Attend workshops and events: participate in workshop events organised by ADS to understand more.
  3. Contact us: if you would like to become a signatory.
  4. Review internally: ensure your organisation’s ESG strategies align to the commitments of the charter and that you can demonstrate this via ADS’ metrics.
  5. Sign the charter: your legal team must provide signed approval to charter commitments and agree to the reporting conditions.

  1. Promote the charter: use the charter logo and be showcased on the ADS charter webpage.
  2. Engage with our resource compendium: this includes assessment tools and guidance.
  3. Positively contribute to industry’s ESG goals!

  1. Guide for the Defence and Security Sectors on Access to Financial Services in the UK: Gain the tools and knowledge you need to innovate, scale and grow.
  2. ESG assessment tool: Free AI powered ESG maturity assessment tool for ADS members developed by ESG experts to help you on your ESG journey.
  3. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting guidance: Outlines the background and legislation involved in emissions reporting. Step by step worked example to help accurately report your emissions.
  4. Webinar – Balancing capability and sustainability in defence: Watch back this engaging webinar from the New Professionals Forum that delves into the realm of sustainability in defence, focusing on the UK Defence ESG Charter.

The Charter's Launch

Launched 25 January 2024, the UK Defence ESG Charter outlines our sector’s firm commitment to building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Britain. 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.