Environmental impacts

In the current context of ecological transition, the responsible use of resources and the adoption of circular economy models are key factors for a sustainable and competitive industry. Aware of the need to reduce the environmental impact of our activities, we integrate principles of efficiency and recycling throughout the entire production cycle, optimizing the consumption of raw materials and minimizing waste. Over the years, we have strengthened the process of selecting and sourcing materials, assessing at the design stage the environmental impact they may have over their entire life cycle. Already during the drafting of technical contract specifications and subsequently in the procurement process, we identify outfitting materials that, while maintaining the same technical, quality, and compliance characteristics, also have eco-friendly properties. We promote the use of materials with lower environmental impact as a priority, supporting sustainable management of residues both during the ship construction phase and throughout its operation and end-of-life.

Below are the main raw materials present in the production cycle:

• iron for the construction of the hull
• steel, iron, plastics, and other ferrous and non-ferrous alloys for the pipes installed on board
• materials for welding operations
• coating products.

In line with the Policy regarding the use of chemical products, sourcing choices—where equivalent technical features and/or compatible performance are present—favor products with a lower environmental impact. With regard to coating products, which are the most widely used in shipbuilding production, we have identified and analyzed ways to increase the use of low-solvent or water-based solutions as an alternative to traditional coatings, also expanding their forecasted use within project technical specifications.

Supporting the commitments set forth in our Policy, the CIRCular Economy (CIRCE) project on the study of circular economy highlighted, among the most significant impact categories, the use of fossil and mineral resources in the materials used for the construction of the hull, cabins, and air conditioning systems, and identified the most promising initiatives.

Regarding the optimization of material logistics, in Italy the centralization project for shipment planning (Control Tower), launched in 2014 to manage the yards’ shipping requests in an integrated way—aimed at reducing transport costs, improving reliability and punctuality of deliveries, and reducing environmental impact—has enabled a reduction in pollutant emissions through round-trip shipment planning and higher vehicle saturation (combining multiple shipping requests on one carrier). In 2024, compared to the total number of single shipment requests, the project resulted in a reduction of 1,521 trips corresponding to 395,648 km and a saving of 264 t of CO₂, equivalent to the average CO₂ absorbed in a year by approximately 44 hectares of forest (Birdsey, R. A.– 1992)

We promote responsible waste management, strongly encouraging separate collection and particularly the reduction of hazardous waste.

The criteria identified for the management of processing residues and waste disposal are included in the company guidelines, which are adopted and detailed by each production unit’s procedures, taking site-specific characteristics into account.

The layout of the production cycle, characterized by specific sequences of processing phases, optimizes the selection and introduction of materials upstream and therefore allows for the organized differentiation and collection of residues.

The waste produced by our activities is delivered to authorized sites based on its classification, with a preference for and maximization of recovery destinations, in compliance with ISO 14001 certification, which is verified through internal and third-party checks and audits.

The awareness-raising efforts continued in 2024 for all internal stakeholders involved in the waste management process, ensuring the achievement of the set targets for reducing the quantities of waste per production hour, as well as maintaining the share of waste sent for recovery (87%), perfectly in line with the target set in the 2023-2027 Sustainability Plan. This goal was made possible by improvements in separate waste collection at all shipyards. In particular, in Italy, the percentage of recycled waste reached 90%, thanks to targeted policies and effective management of processing residues.

A relevant aspect concerns the management of hazardous waste: in 2024, 82% of this type of waste was sent for recovery or recycling.

A key initiative in 2024 was the signing of a partnership with the Hera Group for a new waste management system at shipyards, aimed at reducing waste generation, maximizing recovery through the application of advanced treatment and recovery technologies for industrial waste, implementing separate collections for the reuse of materials in production cycles, and optimizing the logistics and handling of processing residues to improve safety at shipyards. In January 2025, we announced the establishment, together with the Hera Group, of CircularYard S.r.l., a new company created to implement an innovative integrated waste management system at our eight Italian shipyards, also aimed at enhancing waste in a circular economy perspective.

We promote a sustainable mobility model aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging changes in habits.

Since the beginning of 2024, we have reactivated the digital carpooling service for our Italian employees. In this way, we aim to encourage an alternative and sustainable solution for commuting, through the responsible and shared use of private cars. The system—also accessible via a smartphone or tablet app—uses a dedicated community to easily connect registered users and certify the results in terms of energy and environmental savings. The platform includes a rewards system that encourages participation in the initiative. In parallel, the “soft mobility” option allows the certification of commuting by bicycle or on foot, with access to the rewards system as well. As of January 2025, more than 600 people had registered on the platform. In 2024, thanks to participation in the initiative and the recording of journeys (including the “soft mobility” option), 23,000 kg of CO₂ — equivalent to 175,000 km — were saved.

We also promote and encourage the use of public transport wherever possible, provided it does not cause excessive inconvenience for employees, thanks in part to agreements with local public transport companies to activate additional bus services and/or routes. Through the Welfare Portal, our employees can request full or partial reimbursement for urban public transport or train passes, an opportunity that can also be extended to dependent family members.

As for the company fleet, in Italy we are replacing internal combustion vehicles with hybrid technology vehicles—including PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles)—with the aim of building an increasingly sustainable fleet. The various charging stations for company electric vehicles located at our Italian production sites are used regularly.

We also note that, through our partner airlines for employee business travel, we contribute to environmental protection by purchasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which enables a reduction in pollutant emissions compared to conventional aviation fuel. Thanks to trips taken by Fincantieri Group Italy employees, these airlines have also been able to offset flight-related CO₂ emissions by contributing to internationally certified climate protection projects.

Our subsidiaries are also adopting similar policies to reduce travel and the environmental impact of mobility.