Our journey to Net Zero by 2040

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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 or charging electric vehicles. 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 the first foodservice, and 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*. These targets were updated in 2023 to increase the ambition level and to set FLAG (forest, land and agriculture) science-based targets, which takes account of land-based emissions and removals in land-intensive operations, such as agriculture.

Our comprehensive regional roadmap and transition plan to reach net zero by 2040 outlines our targets and key actions.

We are making great progress having already exceeded our short-term target, delivering a -37% reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions in FY23 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.

Download the Net Zero timeline (JPEG)

* Sodexo is committed to net zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2040

• Short-term Emissions Reduction Target: to reduce in absolute terms our scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 34% by 2025 against a 2017 baseline.
• Near-term Emissions Reduction Target: to reduce in absolute terms our scope 1, 2 and 3 (Non-FLAG) GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 against a 2017 baseline. We commit to reduce scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 against a 2017 baseline. 
• Long-term Emissions Reduction Target: to reduce in absolute terms our scope 1, 2 and 3 (Non-FLAG) GHG emissions by 90% by 2040 against a 2017 baseline. We commit to reduce scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions by 72% by 2040 against a 2017 baseline.
   

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 2025.
• Switching to 100% reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging by 2025.
• Increasing the number of plant-based meals and recipes to 33% by 2025.
• Designing new recipes to ensure 70% of main dishes are low carbon (<0.9kgCO2e)
• 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.

Our latest GHG (green house gas) emission data is available here. (updated December 2023).