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Sustainability

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 87,800 people in more than 40 countries. We help our customers stay a step ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information.

We also work closely with local partners to support economic development through the transfer of knowledge, skills and technology.

We aim to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We operate responsibly and with integrity, supporting performance by managing both current and future risks and opportunities.

Whilst robust governance remains at the core of our business, we recognise the long-term sustainability of our business is also dependent on us managing the environmental and social impacts of our business.

We are one of the world’s largest defence and security companies. This global footprint and wide range of products and services means that our markets are subject to significant shifts and challenges in geopolitics, public spending and security priorities and engineering and cyber technology.  We monitor and respond to these changes as part of our business operations.

Sustainability agenda

Our sustainability agenda is fundamental to the success of our business. It supports our global business and provides a framework on how we do business. It is driven from the top with input from a wide range of stakeholders. When we think about what is material we consider how our approach to sustainability will drive success, contribute to our wider communities and reduce our impact on the environment.

Our priorities
We decide on what is a priority issue for our sustainability programme via a materiality process, horizon scanning and knowledge of the sustainable development landscape. 
The following priorities are considered and managed as part of our sustainability agenda: 
  • People
Our ability to deliver against our strategy is dependent on recruiting and retaining people with appropriate talent and skills.
  • Safety and wellbeing 
Ensuring a safe and constructive working environment is a fundamental responsibility
  • Ethics and business conduct
Our licence to trade is dependent upon adherence to our policies and high standards of conduct and behaviour.
  • Responsible supply chain
Our responsibilities and ability to operate require a sustainable supply chain. We also recognise the potential risks associated with an extensive sustainable supply chain. We also recognise the potential risks associated with an extensive supplier network, such as modern slavery and human trafficking
  • Human rights
We are committed to respecting human rights. This applies equally to our employees, our suppliers and business partners.
  • Environment and climate change
The risk that climate change will have a significant and lasting impact on economic growth and prosperity is a factor that all companies need to recognise and respond to.
  • Community
Supporting causes that have meaning to our business and the communities in which we operate is important to us.
  • Investing in technology and research and development (R&D)
Technology and innovation underpin our strategy and the development of our products and services.

We have a number of KPIs to track our performance of these issues and report on these annually in our Annual Report.  We also inform our stakeholders of our progress and performance through responding to individual questionnaires and reports.
 

Our approach to the Sustainable Development Goals 

Sustainability SDG Graphic
 
 
We recognise the importance of sustainable development in ensuring that we can operate, compete and effectively manage current and future business opportunities alongside understanding our impact on the wider community.
 
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for development and address the challenges that the global population faces from tackling climate change and environmental risks through to managing societal needs and building economic growth. Together the goals also contribute substantially to the realisation of human rights.
 
We recognise that we can make a valuable contribution towards the SDGs which we are able to influence. Our current sustainability agenda supports the following SDGs:
 
 
3 Good health and well-being
4 Quality education
5 Gender equality
8 Decent work and economic growth
12 Responsible consumption and production
13 Climate action
16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
17 Partnerships for the goals
 
 

Oversight and governance

Ethics and anti-corruption

Partners and suppliers

Diversity and inclusion

The environment and climate change

Safety and wellbeing

Local community