Our approach to decarbonisation

Net zero commitment

Power generation, transport and the built environment are some of the very sectors in which reducing emissions is hardest. That’s why they’re vital challenges to tackle in enabling a more sustainable future and limiting global warming.

As engineers and innovators of technology, we trust in the science that tells us we must curb global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

To make sure our business and the sectors we operate in can be compatible with this future, we’re targeting net zero emissions for our operations and facilities as well as our products and technologies.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR NET ZERO COMMITMENT

Our decarbonisation strategy

As net zero intent gets translated into net zero action, it will become increasingly costly to be part of the problem and – we believe – increasingly profitable to be part of the solution. Our decarbonisation strategy will help us make the most of the new opportunities opening up in the transition to a net zero world.

We will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and facilities by 2030.

We will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and facilities by 2030.

Emissions from product development and testing do not fall within this target because international regulations require the use of current-generation fuels for certain activities. In keeping with our focus on delivering technologies to solve the climate crisis, we do not use carbon offsetting schemes to mitigate our emissions. We may, however, temporarily offset testing and development emissions while awaiting changes to current regulations and expect to set a target for these at a later date.

Along our value chain, our teams will work with suppliers and partners to set net zero targets, and with logistics partners to incentivise the use of low-emission transport options, including Rolls-Royce capabilities. Our resource efficiency targets will help reduce emissions from waste generated by our business activities and contribute to cutting our use of virgin materials.

BECOMING A NET ZERO CARBON COMPANY

We will keep innovating to enable our existing products to be used in ways that are compatible with net zero.

We will keep innovating to enable our existing products to be used in ways that are compatible with net zero.

We will also pioneer new breakthrough technologies that can accelerate the global transition to net zero. We are now setting out clear short-term targets, linked to executive remuneration, that will progress the technology levers we need to pull to meet our 2050 net zero pledge.

DECARBONISING COMPLEX AND CRITICAL SYSTEMS

Most emissions associated with the use of our products and services lie outside our direct control.

Most emissions associated with the use of our products and services lie outside our direct control.

That’s why we will work with customers, regulators and policymakers to create an environment that will allow us to hit our net zero targets and help society meet the commitments made under the Paris Agreement on climate change. We will actively engage with those who have the power to change policies and others involved in advocating for change, to deliver the conditions to facilitate a successful transition to a net zero carbon future.

CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

Our targets

To ensure we hit our long-term emissions targets, we have set ourselves a series of tangible, trackable short-term goals.

100%
All our civil aero production engines 100% SAF compatible by 2023
35%
Reduction of lifetime emissions of new sold products from Power Systems business by 2030
100%
Show compatibility with SAFs for our in-production Defence aero-engines
2023
Certify in-production mtu Series 2000 and Series 4000 engines from Power Systems with sustainable fuels
2MW
Integrate 2MW of Hydrogen fuel cells into operational microgrids
>75%
of R&D spend on lower, net zero carbon technologies by 2025

Materiality

We seek to understand and prioritise the issues that matter most to us and our stakeholders. Our materiality assessment informs our strategy, approach and reporting.

Find out more about our materiality process

Stakeholder engagement

We understand that who we are and how we behave matters to our people and the many stakeholders that have an interest in our activity.

That’s why we ensure that we communicate and consult in a consistent manner, with fairness and integrity to build positive relationships.

We place great value in listening to our various stakeholder groups and responding to their views. Our stakeholders include customers, investors, government, employees, partners, industry and regulatory bodies, and communities local to our operations.

They include groups or individuals who:

  • Are directly or indirectly impacted by our operations, products and services, or who have the potential to impact us
  • With whom we have an economic, environmental or social responsibility or relationship
  • Can provide a diverse perspective on our operations and activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

Governance

Our Group governance framework sets out how we govern our business, manage risk and make sure standards are maintained across our global operations.

Sustainability and the related issues identified through our materiality assessment are core components of this global governance framework, including our operating and production systems.

Our 'Safety, Ethics and Sustainability Committee' is our approach to governance and risk management in this area.

In addition, we have an external Environment Advisory Committee that independently reviews and makes recommendations on our product and operational strategies.

Responsibility for managing material issues is distributed across our ELT and dispersed through the relevant parts of our management and employee population.

Policies and certificates

Group policies and guidance

We develop Group policies that are applicable across our global operations, including controlled joint ventures, to address material issues pertinent to our operations and activities. These are publicly available in English. Key policies are translated and made available to employees in local languages that reflect our key geographies.

Our Code and Group Policies 
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Global Supplier Code of Conduct 
pdf – 697KB
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Approach to managing tax affairs 
pdf – 113KB
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Board Diversity Policy 
pdf – 54KB
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Sustaining our Culture of Integrity 
pdf – 2.3MB
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Reporting guidance

Our approach to reporting is driven by the issues that we consider to be most material to our business. Our Basis of reporting sets out the parameters against which we measure and calculate performance data.

Sustainability Assurance statement 
pdf – 107KB
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Sustainability Data Basis of reporting 
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Basis of reporting 
pdf – 246KB
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Basis of reporting 
pdf – 166KB
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Bureau Veritas Limited Assurance statement 
pdf – 169KB
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HS&E management system

The scope of the health, safety and environmental management system applies to all the activities, products and services of Rolls-Royce plc. Specifically, the system applies to the management of environmental aspects, occupational health and safety risks and compliance obligations in the design, manufacture and service of its products and related business activities.

Geographic coverage of the system applies globally and covers people working under the direct supervision of Rolls-Royce.

The system boundaries encompass our locations and off-site activities under the direct control or influence of the company. The boundaries extend to the interface with third parties working on our behalf.

We hold third-party certification from Bureau Veritas for management systems, including Quality ISO 9001, Environment ISO 14001 and Occupational Health and Safety OHSAS 18001, representing all businesses across the world.

Scope of HS&E management system 
pdf – 94KB
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Global external certification – ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 
pdf – 1.6MB
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Global external certification – ISO 45001:2018 
pdf – 1.6MB
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