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Sodexo Health & Care has achieved level 3 status on NHS’s Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment maturity matrix.
The Evergreen Assessment is one of several NHS initiatives designed to support its net zero and wider sustainability objectives and is aimed specifically at its target to reach net zero by 2045 for the emissions it does not have direct control over but that it can influence.
The Assessment is a reporting tool, which enables suppliers to engage with the NHS on their sustainability journey and understand how to align with the NHS net zero and sustainability ambitions, including those set out in the NHS net zero supplier roadmap.
The maturity criteria are informed by leading, independent sustainability initiatives such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the modern slavery assessment tool (MSAT), as well as NHS sustainability requirements including those set out in the net zero supplier roadmap.
Suppliers are assessed against four maturity levels which indicate alignment with NHS sustainability priorities:
- Level 1: Publicly committed to net zero carbon and engaged with sustainability
- Level 2: Comprehensive net zero targets and reporting for carbon emissions
- Level 3: 2045 Net Zero targets that are independently validated
- Level 4: 2045 Net Zero targets, independently validated, across the global organisation
Following the assessment Sodexo Health & Care received Level 3: 2045 net zero targets that are independently validated. The information reported through Evergreen is supporting Sodexo Health & Care to understand its alignment with NHS sustainability priorities and identify those areas in which it needs to accelerate progress.
The data and information provided by Sodexo will also be used to support the NHS in understanding its supply chain carbon footprint, measure progress against its targets, and tailor engagement to support suppliers.
Philip Leigh, CEO for Sodexo Health & Care, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the NHS in its vision to deliver the world’s first net zero health service. At Sodexo we are very clear about the need for collaboration in our sustainability strategies, this assessment is a positive step on our journey, we know there is still much work to do which is why it is imperative that we continue to partner with our NHS clients, their teams and patients to make a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions and have a positive impact.”
In 2023, Sodexo Health & Care reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37 per cent compared to Sodexo’s 2017 baseline, over 68,000 tCO2e, the equivalent of flying around the world over 5,800 times.
The assessment is valid for 12 months, after which Sodexo Health & Care will again use the tool to assess its status.
As environmental protection demands unified action, transparency, and heightened awareness, Biological Preparations has launched an initiative to catalyse sustainability efforts within the FM sector.
FM businesses face unique challenges and heightened expectations of eco-initiatives from their clients. Yet, behind the scenes in FM businesses, many environmental initiatives, rollouts and even planning, are not broadcasted and transparent.
Have your say: Sustainability Trends in FM
The UK biotech company’s five-minute, anonymous FM-focused survey, offers FM professionals of all hierarchies with a platform to voice their perspectives and share their experiences. The results from this survey will then be analysed and presented as an industry-specific report, which aims to guide FM businesses helping them benchmark trends, gain clarity on industry challenges, and map out goals and metrics towards sustainability.
To share your experiences, please click here.
