Sustainability: Leonardo confirmed as UN Global Compact LEAD

Rome  20 September 2021 13:15

  • Leonardo is the only one among the leading companies in the Aerospace and Defense sector to obtain the recognition
  • Acknowledgment of the ongoing commitment to the Ten Principles of the Global Compact and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030 
  • In 2021-2022, 50% of Leonardo’s investments are aligned with the SDGs, with impacts on the strengthening of innovation processes and the development of the supply chain

Within the 76th United Nations General Assembly, during the Uniting Business Live event (September 20-22), Leonardo has been confirmed, for the second year in a row, as UN Global Compact LEAD. Leonardo is the only one among the leading global companies in the Aerospace and Defense sector to be included in the small group of companies, 37 in total, which this year includes four Italian companies.

The recognition is assigned to companies that stand out for their commitment to promoting the Ten Principles of the Global Compact and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2020, Leonardo directed ca 50% of its investments toward SDG objectives and, compared to an average annual investment of approximately 600-700 million euros for 2021-2022, is committed to keeping the 50% of these in line with the SDGs, with impacts on the strengthening of innovation processes and the development of the supply chain, and adopting a quantitative reporting model capable of analyzing the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives over time.

In 2021, Leonardo has played an active role in the Global Compact, participating in the Action Platform “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” and in the CFO Taskforce’s working groups, contributing to the development of the SDG 16 Business Framework, a tool aimed at promoting structural change in companies strengthening culture of integrity and responsible business management. Moreover, Leonardo is among the signatories of the CFO Principles on integrated SDG investments and finance, for the creation of a market for investment and finance in support of the SDGs.

In Leonardo’s 2020 Integrated Report, with respect to ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) performances, the importance of implementing development programs and medium-long term partnerships with the supply chain is highlighted – as example through awareness raising of SDGs and reporting among key suppliers –, in addition to the maintenance of the ISO 37001: 2016 “Anti-Bribery Management System” certification, the 40% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030 and the recruitment of 30% of women with respect to total STEM hires.

The confirmation as Global Compact LEAD is part of a path of sustainability that sees Leonardo as an international leader. For the second year in a row, the Company was recognized as the leader in the Aerospace and Defense sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, and was placed in band A, the highest level of the Defence Companies Index on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Transparency (DCI), drawn up by Transparency International. Also noteworthy is the inclusion in the CDP’s “A List” (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) in the fight against climate change and the inclusion, for the first time, in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (GEI) in 2021.