Sodexo commits to creating meaningful change in its Social Impact Pledge 2030

Sodexo has published its ‘Social Impact Pledge 2030: everyone, everyday, everywhere’, setting out new clear and ambitious commitments to create meaningful impact for its people, planet, places and partners in the UK over the next five years.

This year marks 10 years since the publication of Sodexo’s first social impact pledge and transparent reporting of its progress and success. Over the course of the last decade, Sodexo has evolved its commitments in line with the changes in legislation and in business and societal priorities.

Split into four impact pathways, Sodexo’s 2030 vision is:

•People: Sodexo will nurture inclusive and equitable workplaces, measuring its progress through its position on the Social Mobility Employer Index. 

As a large employer, Sodexo knows it has the power to be a driver of social mobility everywhere that it operates. Sodexo will continue to promote equitable opportunities with examples of its work in this area including providing access to apprenticeships; driving sustainable employment for individuals with criminal convictions and supporting veterans, reservists and military families find employment opportunities.

•Planet: Sodexo will continue to decarbonise its business, staying on track for Net Zero 2040. 

The business will do this by following the science, taking steps such as re-baselining, as its knowledge and systems evolve and its understanding of the data and how it is used continues to improve. Sodexo’s near-term target to reduce its emissions across all three scopes by 55 per cent is 31 August 2030.

Acknowledging it can’t achieve this alone, Sodexo supports its supply partners, who account for 38 per cent of its emissions, through its award-winning engagement programme. Tackling food waste remains a high priority and Sodexo remains committed to incorporating sustainable procurement into its sourcing strategies. The company also continues to take a world-leading role in encouraging the adoption of sustainable eating and low-carbon meals.

•Places: By 2030 the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation will have supported more than 12.5 million direct and indirect beneficiaries. The Foundation celebrates 20 years in the UK & Ireland in 2025 and is committed to working with a diverse range of charity partners, supporting national and regional projects, large and small. 

As the Foundation’s strategy continues to evolve, it anticipates having a more transformational impact with a further two million beneficiaries expected over the next five years. Its work will remain focused on fundraising, grants giving, providing meaningful volunteering opportunities to Sodexo colleagues and fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing with its extensive network and charity partners.

•Partners: Sodexo will increase diversity in its supply chain and spend over £1 billion with SMEs and diverse suppliers by 2030.

 Sodexo will continue to support its supply partners in their journeys to net zero through its engagement programme. As pioneers of the BSA Modern Slavery Council, Sodexo will play a key role in evolving and expanding this into Ireland to further reduce risk and raise awareness through radical collaboration.

Jean Renton, Chief Operating Officer, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “When Pierre Bellon founded Sodexo, he understood that people’s daily environment – whether at work, in school or in hospital – has a profound impact on their wellbeing, productivity and happiness. He created a business to provide services that add true value to those daily environments. From serving nutritious and sustainable meals, to delivering welcoming and functioning spaces. It’s just how we do business.

“Through our new Pledge, which launches nearly 60 years later, we are building on that legacy to add ever more value for the people, businesses and communities whose lives we touch.

“Today we face new complex societal challenges, and it is right that our commitments evolve to reflect those. Our Social Impact Pledge 2030 illustrates our mission to foster a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future, with every one of our 30,000 colleagues playing a role every day in delivering this positive change.

“I truly believe that if we accomplish what we have set out today, we have every reason to be confident of a better tomorrow.”

To read Sodexo’s Social Impact Pledge 2030 click here.