Leonardo Released its “Sustainability in Action 2023”, Outlining its Commitment to Sustainability

Leonardo has recently published the “Sustainability in Action 2023” brochure which describes the company’s strategy and commitment to sustainability – a business lever and a competitiveness factor – across several action areas, highlighting the key contribution of Leonardo’s technological solutions.

Thanks to the dialogue with its stakeholders and materiality analysis, Leonardo has identified a set of strategic priorities ranging from promoting a responsible business model to attracting and fostering talent, from reducing energy consumption, CO2 emissions and environmental impact to developing the supply chain and strengthening the digitalisation process. This commitment is also supported by the company’s 110 Sustainability Plan projects across the entire value chain.

LEONARDO’S MAIN ACTION LINES ON SUSTAINABILITY

For Leonardo, innovation and digitalisation are fundamental enablers of a sustainable transition and that is why, in 2022, 13,6% of revenues were invested in research, product development and customization, with 12,200 dedicated people. The company has a strong innovation ecosystem, in which the Leonardo Labs’ research network - one of which is specifically dedicated to sustainability - and the davinci-1 supercomputing infrastructure are key tools to help reduce the environmental impact of its processes, products and services, for example through the use of digital twins and virtualisation.

Leonardo’s path to decarbonize the whole value chain was reinforced, in November 2022, with the commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The Group aims to curb its carbon footprint from its supply chain to its products and services – for example through sustainable aviation solutions and participation in European research programmes – passing through the reduction of emissions associated with its operations, which have already been cut by 15% compared to 2021.

The increasing attention to the protection of natural resources and the promotion of circular economy represent important steps to reduce the environmental impact of the Group’s value chain, in particular through the research of innovative materials, such as composite materials, and through predictive manufacturing allowing longer life-cycles of products.

The centrality of technologies is stressed by the contribution Leonardo’s solutions can provide to sustainability. Satellite and global monitoring technologies for the observation of the planet and its resources are key tools for the protection of natural resources and the adaptation to climate change, as they help predict and nowcast climate phenomena as well as manage emergencies and security. The importance of such technologies makes responsible space management, including debris – for example through in-orbit servicing in which Leonardo is an excellence – more and more crucial.

The responsible management of the value chain, through both a transparent business conduct and the engagement of suppliers, is a competitive advantage for a company operating in an ecosystem made up of over 11,000 suppliers, the majority of which are SMEs. Collaboration helps Leonardo grow together with its suppliers, which are involved in different development programmes such as LEAP, the LEADS assessment model or initiatives like the Supply Chain Sustainability Manifesto, which add up to a commitment to business integrity and transparency that respects regulations, human rights and responsible business conduct.

On the social side, the Group puts the topics of Scientific Citizenship and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the core of its social sustainability. Twin transition is increasingly demanding new skills, especially in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) area. As diversity is a distinctive factor for competitiveness, attracting talent, retaining and enhancing human capital, Leonardo promotes the scientific culture in schools and universities, giving special attention to the inclusion of girls.

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