Sodexo Promotes Supply Chain Sustainability to Boost Green Economy

Shanghai, June 7, 2022 – Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services announced that it will further boost responsible sourcing. By focusing on sustainable sourcing and smarter and more sustainable practices, Sodexo will work to build a low-carbon supply chain system to address the challenges posed by growing consumption, intensifying pollution, and over-consumption of water and energy across the globe.

As the global population continues to grow and the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, corporate social responsibility is a priority of greater significance for companies and employees, while more decision-makers and managers realize that their business development is tied to the future of the planet.

A Sodexo survey on global executives in human resources, operations, procurement and food/facilities services finds that 73% of the business leaders believe sustainability strategies and practices are of growing importance to businesses.

With years of experience in global market operations and sustainable growth, Sodexo adopts an approach to responsible sourcing focused on three priorities:

Improving health, nutrition, and well-being by selecting the healthiest ingredients

A plant-based diet is based on foods that primarily come from plants including grains, tubers, legumes, vegetables and fruits.

In 2019, Sodexo joined hands with WWF-UK and Knorr Professional to develop sustainable recipes in an effort to build a more responsible food system. Inspired by Knorr Professional and WWF-UK's Future 50 Foods Report, which identifies 50 nutrient-rich foods, Sodexo has developed 40 sustainable recipes that are environmental-friendly, healthy, and green with a low carbon footprint. These innovative recipes can change people's diets and increase their intake of green plant foods to improve the health of people and the Earth.

Fostering economic, social, and environmental progress through an inclusive supply chain

Despite being a multinational company with a global reach, Sodexo has highly localized its core business segments, as its supply chain development is closely linked to local markets. The company holds a strong belief that building a more inclusive supply chain fuels sustainable sourcing and contributes to the local economy while deepening Sodexo's commitment to diversity and inclusion. In the meanwhile, Sodexo collaborates with suppliers to support and promote sustainable practices throughout the industry.

Sodexo launched its Supply Chain Inclusion Program in North America in 2001 with the goal of including and promoting more small businesses in its ecosystem of suppliers.

This program is now active worldwide and promotes the inclusion of suppliers that fall into the following three categories:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Companies owned and/or directed by women, minorities, or other underrepresented groups
• Suppliers that actively support diversity and inclusion

 

Building a low carbon emissions supply chain to protect natural ecosystems

As the concept of low carbon takes root, low-carbon lifestyles have become a trend in people's daily lives.

The low-carbon idea has also swept the business world: it has become a common goal for all businesses across the globe to achieve carbon neutrality and create a green future for humankind.

Emissions are generated at every step across the supply chain, from production to delivery, representing 50% of Sodexo's global carbon footprint. As the first catering and integrated facilities management service provider to set reduction targets for Scope 3 Emissions (supply chain carbon emissions), Sodexo chooses suppliers that share its commitment to reduce emissions and involve them in its efforts, in addition to promoting low carbon emissions products.