As the global arms industry's carbon footprint rivals entire nations, with giants like Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems emitting millions of metric tons annually, a critical and often overlooked question emerges: can weapons manufacturers, whose products are designed for destruction, also become leaders in building a sustainable future?
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Lockheed Martin reported Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions of 1,057,000 metric tons CO2e, representing a 5% increase from 2021 due to expanded manufacturing operations
- BAE Systems' total GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) for 2022 stood at 2.8 million tonnes CO2e, with 85% from supply chain
- Raytheon Technologies emitted 1.2 million metric tons CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 in 2021, aiming for 30% reduction by 2030 from 2018 baseline
- Lockheed Martin used 1.2 billion kWh of electricity in 2022, 25% from renewables
- BAE Systems consumed 2.5 million MWh total energy in 2022, with natural gas at 60%
- Raytheon energy use: 1.8 billion kWh in 2021, targeting 20% renewable by 2030
- Lockheed Martin water withdrawal totaled 12.5 million cubic meters in 2022, with 40% recycled
- BAE Systems used 15 million m³ water in 2022, 25% from sustainable sources
- Raytheon water use: 8.2 million m³ in 2021, targeting zero discharge
- Lockheed employee training hours on sustainability: 1.2 million hours in 2022, covering 95% workforce
- BAE Systems diversity: 28% women in workforce, 15% ethnic minorities in 2022 UK ops
- Raytheon safety incident rate: 0.45 per 100 workers 2021, zero fatalities
- Lockheed sustainability goals aligned to UN SDGs, 12 of 17 targeted in 2022 report
- BAE Systems TCFD-aligned disclosures since 2020, full Scope 3 reporting 2022
- Raytheon SASB standards adoption, 25 metrics disclosed 2021
Major arms firms are increasingly reporting and setting goals to reduce their large carbon footprints.
Emissions and Climate Impact
- In 2022, Lockheed Martin reported Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions of 1,057,000 metric tons CO2e, representing a 5% increase from 2021 due to expanded manufacturing operations
- BAE Systems' total GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) for 2022 stood at 2.8 million tonnes CO2e, with 85% from supply chain
- Raytheon Technologies emitted 1.2 million metric tons CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 in 2021, aiming for 30% reduction by 2030 from 2018 baseline
- Northrop Grumman reduced its absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 22% from 2015 to 2021, totaling 284,000 metric tons CO2e in 2021
- General Dynamics' 2022 Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 456,000 tonnes CO2e, with aviation segment contributing 60%
- Rheinmetall AG reported 245,000 tonnes CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 emissions for fiscal year 2022, up 8% due to production ramp-up
- Thales Group's GHG emissions totaled 1.1 million tCO2e in 2022 across all scopes, with a 15% reduction target by 2030
- Leonardo S.p.A. Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 178,000 tonnes CO2e in 2022, focusing on renewable energy transition
- Saab AB's 2022 emissions reached 112,000 tCO2e for Scopes 1 and 2, with aviation products at 70% share
- MBDA's parent companies report combined emissions of 450,000 tCO2e in 2021, with missile production as key driver
- In 2021, the global arms industry contributed approximately 1.5% of total industrial CO2 emissions, estimated at 150 million tonnes
- US defense sector Scope 3 emissions from contractors exceeded 50 million tCO2e in 2020, per DoD analysis
- Boeing Defense's emissions were 4.2 million tCO2e in 2022, 40% from supply chain fuels
- Airbus Defence and Space reported 320,000 tCO2e Scope 1/2 in 2022, targeting net zero by 2050
- L3Harris Technologies emitted 210,000 metric tons CO2e in 2022, down 10% via efficiency gains
- Huntington Ingalls Industries' 2021 GHG emissions totaled 1.8 million tCO2e, mostly Scope 3
- Elbit Systems Ltd. Scope 1/2 emissions: 45,000 tCO2e in 2022, with drone manufacturing up 20%
- Textron's Bell division emissions: 150,000 tCO2e in 2021
- Kongsberg Gruppen ASA reported 68,000 tCO2e Scope 1/2 in 2022
- Dassault Aviation's 2022 emissions: 95,000 tCO2e, 55% from testing flights
- Finmeccanica (Leonardo) historical emissions averaged 200,000 tCO2e annually pre-2020
- Rolls-Royce Defence emissions: 280,000 tCO2e in 2022 Scope 1/2
- Babcock International's defence ops emitted 120,000 tCO2e in 2021
- Chemring Group PLC: 35,000 tCO2e Scope 1/2 in 2022
- QinetiQ Group emissions: 52,000 tCO2e in 2022
- Ultra Electronics (Cobham): 28,000 tCO2e pre-acquisition 2021
- Paradigm shift: Arms firms' emissions grew 12% YoY 2019-2022 per TechSIPRI
- NATO suppliers collective emissions est. 10M tCO2e Scope 1/2 2022
- UK's MoD supply chain emissions: 4.5M tCO2e 2021
- French arms exports linked to 0.8M tCO2e indirect emissions 2022
Emissions and Climate Impact Interpretation
The global arms industry produces meticulously reported carbon emissions while manufacturing the very machines that will one day burn the world’s remaining fuel in defense of the world they helped overheat.
Energy Consumption
- Lockheed Martin used 1.2 billion kWh of electricity in 2022, 25% from renewables
- BAE Systems consumed 2.5 million MWh total energy in 2022, with natural gas at 60%
- Raytheon energy use: 1.8 billion kWh in 2021, targeting 20% renewable by 2030
- Northrop Grumman energy consumption: 850 million kWh Scope 1/2 in 2021, down 15%
- General Dynamics used 1.1 billion kWh electricity in 2022, 40% from fossil fuels
- Rheinmetall energy: 750 GWh in 2022, 70% gas for heating
- Thales energy consumption: 1.4 TWh in 2022, electronics mfg dominant
- Leonardo energy use: 550 million kWh in 2022, 30% renewables
- Saab AB consumed 320 GWh energy in 2022, aviation 65%
- Boeing Defense energy: 3.5 TWh in 2022
- Airbus Defence energy: 900 GWh Scope 1/2 2022
- L3Harris energy use: 620 million kWh 2022
- Huntington Ingalls shipbuilding energy: 2.1 TWh 2021
- Elbit Systems energy: 140 GWh 2022
- Textron aviation energy: 450 GWh 2021
- Kongsberg energy consumption: 200 GWh 2022
- Dassault energy: 280 GWh 2022, 50% jet fuel
- Rolls-Royce Defence engines energy equiv: 800 GWh 2022
- Babcock defence sites energy: 350 GWh 2021
- Chemring energy use: 110 GWh 2022
- QinetiQ test facilities energy: 160 GWh 2022
- Arms industry global energy use est. 500 TWh annually, equiv 120M tCO2e
- US DoD contractors energy: 15 TWh Scope 1/2 2020
- Lockheed renewables procurement: 250 GWh in 2022
- BAE Systems energy intensity: 0.45 MWh per £m revenue 2022
- Raytheon renewable energy: 15% of total 2021
- Northrop energy efficiency improved 18% 2015-2021
- Rheinmetall gas consumption: 500 GWh 2022
- Thales LED lighting retrofit saved 50 GWh annually
- Leonardo solar installations generated 40 GWh 2022
- Saab wind power contracts: 100 GWh/year from 2023
Energy Consumption Interpretation
While collectively pursuing the green energy of tomorrow, the defense industry currently powers its peacekeeping—and war-making—machinery with an annual electrical thirst rivaling a mid-sized nation, yet its renewable achievements so far are more of a targeted sideshow than a main event.
Governance and Disclosure
- Lockheed sustainability goals aligned to UN SDGs, 12 of 17 targeted in 2022 report
- BAE Systems TCFD-aligned disclosures since 2020, full Scope 3 reporting 2022
- Raytheon SASB standards adoption, 25 metrics disclosed 2021
- Northrop Grumman board sustainability committee established 2021
- General Dynamics ESG score MSCI AA rating 2022
- Rheinmetall GRI standards G4 comprehensive level 2022
- Thales CDP climate score A- in 2022
- Leonardo UN Global Compact signatory since 2010, annual COP 2022
- Saab EcoVadis gold rating for sustainability 2022
- Boeing SBTi-validated net zero target 2050 approved 2022
- Airbus Defence ISSB standards preparation announced 2023 for 2024 reports
- L3Harris GRI index published annually, 40+ KPIs 2022
- Huntington Ingalls DJSI inclusion 2022 for industrials
- Elbit ESG reporting per Tel Aviv Stock Exchange standards 2022
- Textron sustainability governance policy updated 2021, board oversight
- Kongsberg VP Sustainability role created 2020, reports to CEO
- Dassault Aviation extra-financial rating Sustainalytics 15.5 low risk 2022
- Rolls-Royce chief sustainability officer appointed 2021
- Babcock external assurance on ESG data KPMG 2021
- Chemring sustainability linked financing €50m 2022
- QinetiQ FTSE4Good index member since 2020
- 75% top 20 arms firms publish sustainability reports per SIPRI 2022
- Arms industry average ESG disclosure score 45/100 Sustainalytics 2022
- Lockheed executive comp linked 20% to ESG metrics 2022
- BAE anti-corruption training: 100% employees 2022, zero FCPA issues
- Raytheon lobby spend on climate policy $2m 2021
- Northrop political contributions policy, $1.5m disclosed 2021
- General Dynamics independent board audit committee sustainability review quarterly
- Rheinmetall stakeholder engagement 5,000 participants 2022 surveys
- Thales biodiversity policy covers 80% sites 2022
- Leonardo green bond issuance €500m 2022 for sustainable projects
Governance and Disclosure Interpretation
It seems the world's foremost merchants of conflict are now feverishly polishing their swords while compiling a remarkably comprehensive suite of ESG credentials.
Resource Use and Waste Management
- Lockheed Martin water withdrawal totaled 12.5 million cubic meters in 2022, with 40% recycled
- BAE Systems used 15 million m³ water in 2022, 25% from sustainable sources
- Raytheon water use: 8.2 million m³ in 2021, targeting zero discharge
- Northrop Grumman water consumption: 4.5 million m³ 2021, 30% reduction since 2015
- General Dynamics withdrew 9.8 million m³ water 2022, shipbuilding key user
- Rheinmetall water use: 3.2 million m³ FY2022
- Thales water withdrawal: 7.1 million m³ 2022
- Leonardo water consumption: 2.9 million m³ 2022, 50% recycled
- Saab water use: 1.8 million m³ 2022
- Boeing Defense water: 11 million m³ 2022
- Airbus Defence water: 5.6 million m³ 2022
- L3Harris water use: 3.4 million m³ 2022
- Huntington Ingalls water: 22 million m³ 2021 for shipyards
- Elbit water consumption: 1.2 million m³ 2022
- Textron water: 4.1 million m³ 2021
- Kongsberg water use: 0.9 million m³ 2022
- Dassault water: 1.5 million m³ 2022
- Rolls-Royce water withdrawal: 6.8 million m³ 2022
- Babcock water use: 2.3 million m³ 2021
- Chemring water: 0.7 million m³ 2022
- QinetiQ water consumption: 1.1 million m³ 2022
- Global arms industry water stress exposure: 60% facilities in high-risk areas
- Lockheed hazardous waste generated: 45,000 tons 2022, 95% recycled
- BAE non-hazardous waste: 120,000 tonnes 2022, 75% diverted from landfill
- Raytheon waste: 28,000 tons 2021, zero waste to landfill goal
- Northrop waste generation: 35,000 metric tons 2021, 82% recycled
- Lockheed recycled 85% of 2.1 million tons aluminum in F-35 production 2022
- BAE Systems recycled 92% metals from ship scrapping 2022, total 50,000 tons
- Rare earth metals in arms: 20,000 tons annually global, 70% China sourced
- Depleted uranium munitions production: 1,500 tons/year US/EU
- Copper usage in defense electronics: 250,000 tons global 2022
- Titan mining for arms optics: 5,000 tons extracted yearly
- Lockheed titanium sourcing: 45,000 tons for aircraft 2022
- Arms industry cobalt demand: 10% of global DRC output, 15,000 tons
- Waste from missile propellants: 12,000 tons hazardous annually EU
- Lockheed solvent waste reduced 40% to 5,000 tons 2022 via alternatives
- BAE PFAS chemicals phased out, legacy waste 2,000 tons remediated 2022
- Raytheon VOC emissions from waste: 1,200 tons 2021
- Global arms e-waste: 50,000 tons/year from retired gear
Resource Use and Waste Management Interpretation
Behind all the polished green initiatives and zero-landfill proclamations, the grim reality is that the global arms industry annually requires enough water to fill a small sea, digs up a mountain of conflict minerals, and leaves a toxic trail of waste, which is a rather profound irony for an enterprise whose ultimate product is destruction.
Social Sustainability
- Lockheed employee training hours on sustainability: 1.2 million hours in 2022, covering 95% workforce
- BAE Systems diversity: 28% women in workforce, 15% ethnic minorities in 2022 UK ops
- Raytheon safety incident rate: 0.45 per 100 workers 2021, zero fatalities
- Northrop Grumman supplier audits for human rights: 450 conducted 2021, 98% compliant
- General Dynamics lost time injury rate: 0.32 per 200,000 hours 2022
- Rheinmetall workforce: 25,000 employees, 5% apprenticeships in 2022
- Thales community investment: €25 million in 2022 STEM programs
- Leonardo employee engagement score: 78% in 2022 survey
- Saab ethical supplier assessments: 100% Tier 1 suppliers audited 2022
- Boeing Defense veterans employed: 30,000 or 25% workforce 2022
- Airbus Defence local hiring: 85% in host countries 2022
- L3Harris pay equity: 99.2% gender gap closed 2022
- Huntington Ingalls unionized workforce: 60% covered by agreements 2021
- Elbit Systems R&D staff: 12,000 or 50% total employees 2022
- Textron skills training: 500,000 hours provided 2021
- Kongsberg employee volunteering: 15,000 hours 2022
- Dassault mental health programs reached 80% staff 2022
- Rolls-Royce supplier diversity spend: £500m with SMEs 2022
- Babcock apprentices: 2,500 active in 2021 defence training
- Chemring safety hours: 1.5 million without incident 2022
- QinetiQ gender balance: 35% women in STEM roles 2022
- Arms industry child labor risk in supply chains: 15% Tier 2 suppliers flagged 2022 SIPRI
- US defense contractors modern slavery statements: 95% published 2022
- BAE human rights grievances resolved: 100% of 25 cases 2022
- Raytheon community STEM grants: $10m to 200 schools 2021
- Northrop supplier diversity: 20% spend with minority-owned 2021
- Lockheed Modern Slavery Act compliance: 500 suppliers trained 2022
- General Dynamics veteran hiring: 15% new hires 2022
- Rheinmetall works council coverage: 100% EU sites 2022
- Thales disability inclusion: 4% workforce 2022
- Leonardo LGBTQ+ ally network: 5,000 members 2022
Social Sustainability Interpretation
The arms industry has become strangely proficient at measuring everything from the percentage of LGBTQ+ allies to supplier human rights audits, creating a meticulously quantified moral periphery while its core business continues to be the machinery of war.
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