We believe in an inclusive energy transition to a net-zero future, with lifted-up communities, workers and societies. We respect and promote human rights and dignity, and strive to create safe, fair, and inclusive working environments where our people can thrive. Community engagement is at the center of our Sustainability Agenda.

Occupational health and safety   |   Diversity and inclusion

Employee engagement   |   Community engagement

Human rights   |   ABB in action

Target

Zero harm to our people and contractors and a gradual reduction in lost time from incidents

Safety is the foremost standard by which we measure our performance. Our long-term success, reputation and standing as the preferred partner for our customers and other stakeholders depends on our ability to ensure the safety of our people and contractors.

Progress

Since our baseline of 2019, our lost-time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) has improved from 0.24 in 2019 to 0.13 in 2023.

Lost-time injury frequency rate (LTIFR)

Target

Increase proportion of women in senior management roles to 25% by 2030

At ABB, we see diversity and inclusion as a core strength for a successful and sustainable business. We take care of our people, respect and value differences, and seek to create an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. 

Our target aims to double the proportion of women in senior management roles to 25 percent, using 2019 as our baseline.

We are proud of our global gender-neutral parental leave program, which grants 12 weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and four weeks for secondary caregivers.

Diversity and inclusion at ABB

Progress

Women in senior management (by percent)

Target

Achieve a top-tier employee engagement score by 2030

ABB is deeply interested in knowing what its people’s on-the-job experiences are like. Our annual Engagement Survey helps us understand how our people feel and lets them voice their opinions on a broad set of topics.

Progress

In our 2023 employee Engagement Survey, ABB received a total employee engagement score of 77 out of 100, improved from the baseline of 71 out of 100 in 2019.

Target

Expand programs for community engagement

ABB’s approach to community engagement combines strategic corporate partnerships with country-level projects to address local needs. Our company’s and employees’ contributions make a real difference in people’s lives and we are proud of our employees for donating both time and money to help others in need.

We know that next-generation technologies and STEM disciplines will play a key role in making a net-zero future a reality. Our education and upskilling programs are helping current and future professionals succeed in a world where robotics, automation and innovative technologies will play an increasingly important role.

Community engagement at ABB

Progress

In 2023, our employees and business areas supported communities in a number of ways:

Ambition

Our goal is for human rights to be well understood and managed along our entire value chain and integrated into ABB’s daily business.

ABB’s commitment to responsible business practices includes respecting and promoting human rights as expressed in the International Bill of Human Rights. We support the principles contained within the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Core Conventions on Labour Standards, and we are committed to implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) throughout our operations and our value chain.

Our Code of Conduct, Human Rights Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct establish our commitments to human rights and expectations for each individual working at ABB or engaging with ABB’s business. ABB’s Modern Slavery Statement, updated annually, describes our approach to identifying and mitigating the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking along our value chain.

Human rights

Update

Enhanced our human rights due diligence in line with UN Guiding Principles

In line with the UN Guiding Principles, we have enhanced our human rights due diligence. Our recently updated Human Rights Policy and Due Diligence Framework enshrines human rights at the heart of ABB’s expectations. 

1,840 hours of instructor-led human rights training delivered to ABB personnel during 2023

ABB in action

More on our Sustainability Agenda