Our journey to Net Zero by 2040

Our comprehensive roadmap to net zero and complete decarbonisation in the UK and Ireland

We have been on our journey actively tackling our climate impacts for over a decade following our partnership with WWF who have supported us in measuring and reducing our carbon footprint.

We set a baseline in 2017 that covered not just our scope 1 and 2 direct operations, but all scope 3 categories across our value chain.

Scope 1 emissions relate to those emissions that we make directly, including the fuel we use in our vehicles and the heating of our offices. Scope 2 emissions refer to the indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, such as powering our offices. Scope 3 refers to all other indirect emissions that occur in our value chain, including supply chain, business travel, employee commuting, and client site energy and waste.

In 2022, we became one of the first organisations globally to have both near and long-term science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), as we prioritise decarbonisation to reach net zero*. Our comprehensive regional roadmap and transition plan to reach net zero by 2040 outlines our targets and key actions. 

Our near-term target** is to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 and we will reach net zero once we have achieved our long-term target*** of reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2040, with any remaining emissions neutralised. We have also set ourselves the target of being carbon neutral in our direct operations by 2025. 

We have seen our carbon footprint increase slightly as our operational levels transition and adapt post-pandemic. Overall, we have recorded a -33% reduction in FY22 across our scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions compared with our FY17 baseline. 

This commitment forms part of our wider social impact pledge and will enable us to continue to support and improve the communities in which we live, work and serve.

* Sodexo Limited commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by FY2045 from a FY2017 base year. 
** Sodexo Limited commits to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 55% by FY2030 from a FY2017 base year. 
*** Sodexo Limited commits to reduce absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2045 from a FY2017 base year.
Note: Sodexo Group announced as part of Capital Market’s Day (Nov 2022) a commitment to reach net zero by 2040; we are currently updating our net zero science-based target to FY2040 with the SBTi. 

Our latest GHG (green house gas) emission data is available here.

Our carbon transition plan

Our Net Zero transition plan details how we will meet our climate goals, which includes:

• The launch of a 100% hybrid and electric vehicle company car policy.
• Ongoing membership of the Climate Group’s RE100 initiative and procuring 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2022.
• Switching to 100% reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging by 2025.
• Increasing the number of plant-based meals and recipes to 33% by 2025
• Tackling food waste at all appropriate sites through our WasteWatch powered by LeanPath programme and reducing food waste by 50% by 2025.
• A thorough responsible sourcing strategy that facilities better working with suppliers
• Working with clients to achieve net zero collaboratively.
   

Our Carbon Reduction Plan details how we comply with the requirements of the UK Government’s Procurement Policy Note 06/21.