Better Tomorrow Yearbook FY23
Sodexo Sweden
12
Improve the quality of life of our employees, safely
21 Act sustainably for a hunger-free world
33
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
46
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within workforces and workspaces
18 Provide and encourage consumers to access healthy lifestyle choices
54 Champion sustainable resource usage
26
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches the communities Sodexo serves
39 Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
50 Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions
Time for a better dining experience
Sodexo AB's vision is to be our customers’ first choice of service partner, focusing on people and with sustainability integrated into everything we do.
Sodexo’s global sustainability roadmap, “Better Tomorrow 2025”, developed in line with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, includes nine specific and measurable commitments. We see climate issues as being particularly challenging, and have identified this as an area where we can make a difference as a major meal provider.
The world's food systems account for one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Restructuring of food systems is therefore absolutely crucial to achieving the UN's global sustainability goals within the framework of Agenda 2030.
In 2023, we have decided to put extra focus on our gastronomic transformation, in line with our ambition to become a world leader in sustainable meals.
Quite simply, it’s time for a better dining experience, which is why we are investing heavily in developing our recipes, menus and presentations. Our guests don't want chopsticks; but they do want to be seduced by world-class flavours.
WBA's Food and Agriculture Benchmark 2023 makes an overall assessment of how the world's 350 most influential companies contribute to the transformation of food systems from farm to table. Sodexo was in 59th place in the overall ranking, topping the restaurant and food sector for the second year in a row.
"The ranking motivates us to continue our efforts in the transition towards a sustainable business for a sustainable future, and I hope we can inspire other organisations to follow suit. At Sodexo, we will continue to set ambitious goals at both global and local levels, make brave decisions and dare to test new innovations and working methods to advance our work on sustainability," says Peter Mellin, CEO at Sodexo Sweden.
Karin Vierma, Director of Sustainability, Sodexo AB
In our sustainability work, we are working towards factors including:
• Increasing diversity, fair working conditions and inclusion
• More sustainable meal options
• More services to facilitate a safe and flexible work life
• Reduced food waste
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Phasing out single-use plastics
• Increased cooperation with local suppliers
• Support for people in need
In 2023, we also had the pleasure of being the only company in our sector to achieve an A in the CDP climate ranking. An award that is a significant recognition of our day-to-day work locally and globally, together with our customers, guests and suppliers.
Sodexo’s responsibility and the integration of CR into our operations strengthens the commitment of our employees and cooperation with our customers, promotes the environment and society, and helps to improve profitability.
This year’s Better Tomorrow Yearbook for Sodexo Sweden contains information and stories from the last financial year and details what we are doing to drive positive and long-term sustainable development together with our customers, employees and suppliers.
Our fundamentals
Since 1966, each day our teams strive to satisfy our clients and consumers, and to create responsible value. Sodexo is, and will continue to be, a company that employees, clients, consumers, partners and other stakeholders can trust. Our values, embodied by each of our employees, and company ethical principles are essential to the success of Sodexo. They constitute a fundamental pillar of our commitments in terms of responsible business conduct.
Our mission
To improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate.
Our ambition
Be the world leader in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life
Service spirit
People are at the heart of Sodexo. Clients and consumers are at the center of everything we do.
Team spirit
Each person’s skills combine with other team members’ knowledge to help ensure Sodexo’s success.
Spirit of progress
It is manifested through daily self-assessment, because understanding one’s successes as well as one’s failures is fundamental to continuous improvement.
Our fundamentals
Our ethical principles
Loyalty
Working to improve quality of life means making trust central to our relationships with all stakeholders. Sodexo is built on a solid foundation of loyalty to its clients, employees and shareholders, and on honest and open relationships with them.
Respect for people
People are central to our business. Sodexo is committed to acting in favor of equal opportunity, regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, beliefs, religion or sexual orientation. Improving quality of life means treating each individual with respect, dignity and consideration.
Transparency
This is a key principle for Sodexo that applies consistently with all stakeholders: clients, consumers, employees, shareholders and the general public. We ensure that all are informed in a clear and precise manner about our products, services, commitments and performance.
Integrity
We condemn and refuse to tolerate any practices that are not based on honesty, integrity and fairness, regardless of where our business operates in the world. We make our position clear to our clients, suppliers and employees, and expect them to reject corrupt and unfair practices.
Corporate Responsibility at Sodexo
Nine commitments for a better tomorrow
Sodexo group has developed nine commitments that will guide us until 2025. All the commitments are measurable, which enables us to follow our progress and cooperate in order to find solutions to the challenges.
Candidness in the reporting helps us to understand what has gone well, and in which areas we have been facing challenges that we can solve together with our partners.
Yearly reporting helps ut in building trust among all our stakeholders. It proofs how we improve the quality of life in the communities in which we operate.
ROLE AS AN EMPLOYEE
9 commitments and objectives by 2025
IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The roadmap was developed in accordance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals articulate the expectations of the international community for a post-2015 socio-economic development age.
Do you know all 17 SDGs?
➔ Explore them by watching this video!
IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Provide and encourage consumers to access healthy lifestyle choices Act sustainably for a hunger-free world Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches the communities Sodexo serves
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within workforces and workspaces
Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions
Champion sustainable resource usage ROLE AS AN EMPLOYER ROLE AS A
A total of seven nominations for Sodexo in the 2023 White Guide Junior
The White Guide Junior assesses, among other things, the taste and nutrition of the food, the meal environment, service, range and educational programmes when they select the best public meals in Sweden annually. Therefore, we are very proud to have received multiple nominations in the competition this year as well.
Pride in our big 2022 win
Last year saw a big win for Sodexo when Brinkskolan in Täby claimed first prize in the category "School Restaurant of the Year 2022". During this year's competition, we got to participate in a panel discussion where Angelica Jarl, Segment Director for Healthcare, Seniors & Education at Sodexo in Sweden, was asked how the win affected Sodexo and Brinkskolan. Angelica answered the question using a descriptive and concrete word – "pride".
Hard work makes an impression
Although this year did not see a win for us, our hard work is making an impression, as we continue to figure in the competition with a number of excellent nominations.
We had a total of five nominations in the category "School Restaurant Of The Year":
Brinkskolan, Hägerneholmsskolan, Näsbyparkskolan, Åva Gymnasium and Råsunda school.
The best was Näsbyparkskolan, which finished in an excellent sixth place with the words: "A hearty salad buffet rolls out like a welcoming, red carpet inside the entrance to this restaurant, and it becomes the prelude to a celebratory meal, in an environment encouraging a longer stay.”
Sodexo also received two nominations in the category "Preschool Kitchen of the Year", for Hägerneholm and Brinken preschools. Hägerneholm preschool saw the better result of the two and ended up in thirteenth place with the words: "This preschool shares its space with the main Hägerneholm school, where ambitions are high and the desire to serve good, plantbased meals is clear. The salad buffet is one of the best in the country!”
Awarding "Dining Manager of the Year"
As a partner of White Guide Junior, this year we also awarded the prize for "Meal Manager of the Year". The winner, Helene Andersson from Karlstad, received the award from Karin Vierma, Director of Sustainability at Sodexo Sweden.
Karin also had the opportunity to say what a good leader is to her, and she said the following: "Something I think is incredibly valuable is all the managers and leaders who use a significant part of the power that they have in the role to highlight the team and provide them with excellent conditions to succeed".
Karin Vierma, Director of Sustainability at Sodexo Sweden, presents the "Meal Manager Of The Year" award.
Our impact on individuals
Sodexo’s global reach gives it tremendous power to positively influence individuals by supporting communities, promoting access to adequate food and empowering women.
Sodexo is committed to its employees’ well-being, health and safety. The training, personal Well-being and development of its employees are essential to their engagement and recognition. Sodexo ensures that everyone has the tools and skills they need to progress within the Group.
Sodexo offers personalized menus based on the specific requirements of consumers. Sodexo is also committed to offering and promoting sustainable, tasty, healthy and appealing meals. Consumers can therefore make informed choices about what they eat, while helping to protect the planet.
Sodexo reaffirms its commitment and determination to take action against hunger and food insecurity through its unique philanthropic cause, Stop Hunger.
Impact on individuals
dietitians employed by Sodexo
workforce is covered by collective agreements 89.0% of consumers are offered healthy lifestyle options every day
Our impact on individuals
1.1
More than just a job
Our employer promise to our employees describes why working with us is worth it.
Working at Sodexo is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to be part of something bigger, as our day-to-day actions and service have a great impact on people's lives.
Our employees are our greatest asset and our commitment to them is based on three key elements; three important driving forces that we want them to experience in real life when they work for us. Everyone working at Sodexo has a sense of belonging to a team, allowing them to act with purpose and develop at their own pace.
Improve
the quality of life of our employees, safely
Our employer promise to our employees is based on three key elements:
FEEL PART OF – a team
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work, regardless of gender, nationality, cultural or private backgrounds. This way we can create a workplace where everyone feels that their culture, identity and experiences are valued and respected.
ACT – with purpose
At Sodexo, your job is important. You also have the opportunity to develop and advance your career. Sustainable growth means that we strive to act in better, safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly ways.
DEVELOP – at your own pace
With us you will get what you need to succeed in the best possible way: work tools to help you succeed at your job, the opportunity to gain new skills and find your potential, as well as a culture where your health, safety and well-being are prioritised.
Watch the video!
Our impact on individuals
Improve the quality of life of our employees, safely
Proactive health and safety management results in fewer workplace accidents
A fundamental principle at Sodexo is that no one should be injured either at work or travelling to and from work.
To achieve this, during the financial year we have placed extra focus on our proactive work environment management, by identifying risks and incidents at our workplaces and taking action.
This has resulted in fewer workplace accidents and fewer Lost Time Injuries (LTIs), i.e. fewer workplace accidents leading to sick leave.
"The hard work put in has shown positive results. Fewer employees were injured in our workplaces thanks to this. Of course, we need to continue working on the risks we identify, as we are not there yet", says Sofia Eleftheriadis, HSE* Manager at Sodexo in Sweden .
Our impact on individuals
1.1
Improve the quality of life of our employees, safely
New network for chefs working with special diets
All food service staff and staff assisting in restaurants or on catering assignments, must undergo a mandatory basic training course that covers the basics of handling special diets.
In order to reduce the risk of allergic reactions among our diners, we realised during the year that we needed to improve the skills of the staff preparing special diets on meal assignments, and we therefore set up a special network for our special diet cooks.
The network, which consists of speciality chefs and representatives from a number of other functions within the company, will meet up to four times a year to gain in-depth knowledge of allergies, intolerances and special dietary management, as well as having the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with each other.
In addition to the network meetings, an “Inspiration Day” will be organised once a year, consisting of both theoretical and practical sessions with both internal and external speakers, product presentations, exercises and cooking, tasting, competitions and discussion sessions.
"We know that allergies are a big problem in society overall, and we see that this is an important step to ensure our employees always feel safe when managing special diets," says Susanna Strömberg, Food Safety Specialist at Sodexo.
"We have so many knowledgeable employees around the country, so my hope is that they can help share all their knowledge and experience, and that the network will be a good forum to pool all the knowledge we have," Susanna concludes.
Our impact on individuals
Provide and encourage consumers to access healthy lifestyle choices
100% of consumers are offered healthy lifestyle options every day Objective 2025
Our impact on individuals
1.2
Provide and encourage consumers to access healthy lifestyle choices
Our ISO certifications
• ISO 9001:2015 Management system for quality
• 14001:2015 Management system for environment
• ISO 45001:2018 Management system for work environment
• ISO 22000 Management system for food safety
Sodexos Culinary Report 2023
The Sodexo Global Culinary Report gives you a glimpse of the dedication, skill and energy that our chefs put into their kitchens, into our local communities, and into the lives of our customers and guests in a time of rapid change and development.
We invite you to dive into culinary stories and celebrate the milestones we have reached in 2023. We are proud of our dedicated chefs and their amazing achievements.
The stories in the report are a testament to our love of food, which has an impact around the world.
In the report, you can read climatesmart tips from head chef Oscar Jonasson, about how Oscar and his team reduced their carbon footprint from 1.7 kg co2e to 1.0 kg co2e, and about how they engage with their guests and encourage them to choose the most sustainable dishes.
The fact that Brinkskolan in Täby was named "School Restaurant of the Year 2022" in the White Guide Junior competition is also mentioned in the report, something we are naturally very proud of.
Our impact on individuals
1.2
Provide and encourage consumers to access healthy lifestyle choices
Healthier meal experiences for patients and the elderly with Bistro
Each dish is carefully created to satisfy different tastes.
Karolinska University Hospital
Huddinge and Danderyd Hospital took exciting steps forward in their meal service last year, by introducing our new and innovative Bistro meal concept.
"We want to improve our meal service and give patients and visitors a more satisfying and healthy meal experience. And we are convinced that we can do this with food prepared under the Bistro concept," says Michael Jonsson, BusinessArea Manager for Sodexo's large-scale production kitchens.
The new concept is part of our efforts to take hospital food, and food for nursing homes and elderly care to new levels.
Our goal is for meals to both satisfy hunger and give patients and the elderly a sense of well-being. Therefore, each dish is carefully prepared to satisfy different tastes and nutritional needs.
All dishes are prepared with highquality ingredients with an emphasis on seasonal fresh produce, minimal additives and always with ecological awareness and sustainability in mind.
With its focus on quality, diversity and care for both people and the planet, the Bistro meal concept is a step towards a brighter future for hospital food and food for the elderly.
Read more at bistroby.se
Read about the Karolinska patient survey
Read about the Danderyd patient survey
Our impact on individuals
1.3
Act sustainably for a hunger-free world
100 million
Stop Hunger beneficiaries Objective 2025
Our impact on individuals
1.3
Act sustainably for a hunger-free world
Stop Hunger – for a sustainable world without hunger
Stop Hunger is Sodexo's unique philanthropic act within Sodexo, working towards a world without hunger. The movement, initiated in the US in 1996 by Sodexo employees, has grown significantly over the years. Thanks to Sodexo, Stop Hunger now operates in 60 countries and works hand in hand with more than 300 non-governmental aid organisations.
Stop Hunger is rooted in our DNA. We believe that women and the younger generation are the key to a world without hunger and food insecurity.
By unlocking the potential of vulnerable women and supporting the younger generation, we can help them become stronger. Stop Hunger is committed to supporting both families and communities.
In Sweden, we are working to enhance our work locally, both through the support we can provide through our services, such as by donating food, and through volunteering, which may involve mentoring, training, innovation and food waste.
We are also endeavouring to increase locally-based partnerships with customers and suppliers and with aid organisations such as the Swedish City Missions, Matakuten, Hela människan, Verdandi and others.
During the 2023 operating year, our Stop Hunger initiatives in Sweden have benefited over 13,000 people.
• 6,027 meals and 3,160 kilos of food
Homepage Stop Hunger
Video about the Stop Hunger manifesto
Read the Stop Hunger White paper!
Read the report!
Our impact on individuals
1.3
Act sustainably for a hunger-free world
2023 was another record year for the Stop Hunger Servathon
The Stop Hunger Servathon is an annual event where Sodexo around the world makes special efforts during the spring. During the 2023 Stop Hunger Servathon (Service + Marathon), we in Sweden focused on fundraising and donations to people in need. Our largest contribution went to the Swedish City Missions, where the amount raised was matched by Sodexo.
The City Missions have long and proven experience in quickly adapting their operations to deal with acute crises. From Umeå in the north to Skåne in the south, they have quickly adapted their activities to support those hit hardest by the economic downturn – families with children who were already vulnerable.
This trend started with the refugees from Ukraine and has now spread to groups that never sought help from the City Missions before.
The need to make life easier for families with children in need of support has unfortunately increased.
The City Mission endeavours to make life a little easier for all those people who are often forgotten when a crisis hits in full force. Through their outreach programmes, they ensure that even the most vulnerable can find a roof over their heads, a warm place to stay or a meal to eat. For a family with children living in a vulnerable situation, access to a safe place where they are always welcome can make a huge difference.
Sodexo's fundraising activities for the Swedish City Missions were conducted in a number of locations in Sweden, and the other NGOs we supported through Servathon are Matakuten in Gävle, Uppsala, Stockholm and Skellefteå City Missions, Trappaner in Gothenburg and the Pentecostal Church's Humlan organisation in Södertälje.
Sodexo is supporting and promoting diversity and equity, and developing an inclusive workplace culture. Serving communities around the world, Sodexo ensures its teams are as diverse and inclusive as the world itself.
Sodexo strives to strengthen its culture of inclusion by seeking new ways to promote diversity and improve working conditions for its employees. Sodexo firmly believes that gender diversity within committed teams is beneficial for all our stakeholders.
Sodexo products and services have a significant impact on communities and individuals. This is why Sodexo is committed to increasing the proportion of purchases made from small and medium-sized enterprises, in order to redistribute the commercial value among people in the surrounding communities.
Our impact on communities
Sodexo commits to working with partners who promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The Company has strong links with local organizations, advocacy groups and initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable populations. These actions together contribute to a positive impact on people and the planet, and demonstrate a significant social and environmental commitment.
Impact on communities Today
9,646 employees with disabilities 54.3% of coffee purchases is certified sustainable (in kg)
45% of women in management positions
The SheWorks program aims to help vulnerable women return to work by allowing them to discover the professional opportunities offered by the Group. SheWorks brings together more than 2,540 women in 30 countries.
108,029 empowered women in communities 70.5% of Sodexo’s employees work in countries that have gender balance in their management populations
2.2 billion euros spent with SME suppliers
Our impact on communities
2.1
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches the communities
Sodexo serves 100% of employees work in countries that have gender balance in their management populations
Objective 2025
Our impact on communities
2.1
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Diversity for a strong and healthy corporate culture
Our promise to our employees at Sodexo is that they will feel part of a team, act with purpose and develop at their own pace. As a company, we are proud when we see evidence that we practise what we preach.
We regularly measure our employees' motivation through the Voice employee survey. The results are based on questions and answers based on nine themes, such as sense of belonging, job satisfaction, purpose and meaning.
In the latest employee survey, the engagement rate was 79.5%, an impressive increase of 9.1 percentage points in two years.
It is also pleasing that more people believe that Sodexo values diversity in the workplace, which 82.7% stated in the latest employee survey.
We
are convinced that
diversity is a prerequisite for a strong and healthy corporate culture
The Voice 2023 employee survey
In 2023, over 75% of all Sodexo Sweden employees participated in the survey.
We have come quite a way towards our goal of people expressing a sense of belonging and commitment to their work.
Our target for the engagement rate in 2025 is 80%.
For the question measuring eNPS –"How likely are you to recommend Sodexo to family and friends as a good place to work?" – we also achieved a good score of 29.6, which is considered a very good result. Sodexo's goal for eNPS in 2025 is 30.0.
Our impact on communities
2.1
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Best at inclusiveness for LGBTQI+ people
Read more
Sodexo is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and to supporting and standing up for LGBTQI+ people. That is why we are proud to announce that for the fourth year in a row, we have topped the annual “Workplace Pride Global Benchmark”. Their index is based on a detailed review and analysis of eight key points that support LGBTQI+ inclusivity in the workplace.
Sodexo's approach to diversity, equity & inclusion
• Diversity matters but not without inclusion
• Diversity develops the company's culture
• Diversity has strategic importance for the company's business development
• Diversity is about respect for human rights – for the equal value of people
All employees are responsible for the inclusion of their colleagues in the workplace.
In addition to being a diverse and inclusive organisation, we strive to be a just company, guaranteeing fair treatment, accessibility, opportunities and progress, while identifying and eliminating barriers for certain groups.
Our impact on communities
2.1
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Combatting domestic violence
Domestic violence increased significantly during the pandemic. The National Board of Health and Welfare estimates that just over one person per hour reports sick leave due to domestic violence, but the number of unreported cases is much higher. Statistics show that both men and women are victims of domestic violence.
Not only does domestic violence create a negative quality of life for the employee in question, it also carries over into the workplace, affecting ability to work and economic performance.
Sodexo has partnered with Change Collective, which specialises in these issues, to try to address the negative effects of domestic violence.
Through this partnership, we offer the possibility of help, a support programme for all our employees, to end relationships where violence occurs.
Our impact on communities
2.1
Gold sponsors of Team Rynkeby
Sodexo Aid Equipment Services (Hjälpmedelsservice) has been involved in supporting the charity cycling team Team Rynkeby for a number of years.
In 2023, they sponsored the team with a total of SEK 50,000. This goes towards the Children's Cancer Foundation's work to eradicate childhood cancer.
"For me and my colleagues at both Aid Equipment Services and Stockholm Vision Centre, it is natural to support the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation through Team Rynkeby," says Joachim Hilding, Business Area Manager for Sodexo Aid Equipment Services.
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Did you know that…
• Team Rynkeby cycles to Paris every year to raise money for seriously ill children?
• Contributions in Sweden go to the Children's Cancer Fund and that Team Rynkeby Skolloppet supports the Children's Brain Fund?
• The project now has over 2,000 participants from its beginnings with 11 cyclists in 2002?
Our impact on communities
2.1
Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Chef training that can change lives
During the year, Sodexo was part of the Electrolux Food Foundation training programme "Like a chef", whose common goal is to create new job opportunities for people who, for various reasons, have ended up being excluded from the labour market.
At the closing ceremony, nine proud graduates each received their certificate enabling them to apply for jobs in professional cooking.
The 'Like a Chef' training programme was launched by the Electrolux Food Foundation in Brazil in 2017, with the aim of providing underprivileged people with professional cooking skills that could lead to jobs and livelihoods.
Today, there are nine training centres around the world and nearly 1, 200 people have been trained, with over 60% of graduates finding employment.
The training programme in Stockholm was a collaboration between the Electrolux Food Foundation, the Swedish Chefs' Association, the Swedish Public Employment Service, the City of Stockholm and Sodexo. The selected participants were of different ages and from different backgrounds.
Sodexo contributed raw materials to the four-week training and some of the participants also had the opportunity to practise in our kitchens for eight weeks.
"Our partnership with Electrolux is a good example of how we can drive social change through 'Stop Hunger'. 'Like a Chef' helps people to become self-sufficient. It is good for the individual but also benefits employers and society," says Sodexo's Head of Communications, Eva Kristensson.
Mohammad Ali Hamta and Lars-Ove Ingemansson pose with their certificates.
2.1
Our impact on communities Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that reflects and enriches communities Sodexo serves
Sodexo wants to give more power to women
Sodexo is one of the partner companies of the recruitment company CoGig and its talent programme "Female Leader Engineer", which aims to get more women interested in management jobs. This includes visits to partner companies, all of which are well-established and emphasise the importance of genderequal workplaces. Women leaders are increasingly looking for workplaces that prioritise wellbeing, flexibility, diversity and inclusion, but also opportunities for growth.
"We are expanding and are in need of talented people who can lead large and complex assignments. For us, our collaboration with CoGig is about not missing out on important skills.
The talent programme gives us the opportunity to show future engineers the development opportunities available within Sodexo and how we work to support our leaders," says Sodexo CEO Peter Mellin.
Meeting with managers with a climatesmart buffet
When the whole group of just over 20 people visited our head office in Solna, CEO Peter Mellin and some of the other executives talked about Sodexo's operations, our challenges, development opportunities and how we work to support our managers.
The day culminated with a climate-smart lunch buffet prepared by Sodexo's climate chef Oscar Jonasson.
All dishes had a maximum carbon footprint of 0.5kg CO2e, which is the level a lunch should be at to reach the UN's Agenda 2030 sustainability goals. Currently, an average lunch or dinner in Scandinavia has a climate footprint of approx. 1.7 kg of CO2.
Everyone listened with interest as Oscar presented the menu and explained how he works. The food received high marks and applause from the guests.
Other partner companies to CoGig are: Ericsson, Fortum, Kone, Sandvik, Scania, Skanska, SSAB and Stora Enso.
Urban Elfström and Oscar Jonasson offered a climate-smart buffet.
Our impact on communities
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
Objective 2025
2 billion euros
spend with SME suppliers
2.2
. Our impact on communities Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
. The right procurements promotes sustainable development in Sweden
Our procurements are guided by both customer requirements and financial constraints, in addition to our own requirements of ourselves.
The commitment, knowledge and experience of our purchasers play an important role in sustainability work and sustainable development in Sweden. They make demands on and negotiate with our suppliers.
"Code of conduct"
Codes of conduct are guidelines for how we should conduct our business in an ethical, social and environmentally friendly manner. A few years ago, our codes of conduct were updated to make an even clearer link with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Small and medium-sized companies
We work to make it easier for small and medium-sized companies to become our approved suppliers.
Through us, they can become suppliers to companies, municipalities and county councils without having to participate in extensive procurement processes themselves.
Cleaning
Developments in the field of cleaning have progressed in recent years.
Today, chemical-free cleaning is used wherever possible and we try to use the driest cleaning methods possible. Almost 90% of the cleaning products we use have an eco-label and our paper purchases have the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
Meal services
.
Sustainability work is complex in the meals sector. Food production has a major impact on the environment and climate, but it also affects food safety, animal welfare and labour conditions.
We work in accordance with the criteria of the Swedish Agency for Public Procurement (UHM), which are largely in line with our own rules for animal welfare.
Our impact on communities
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
FREEDOMS
Our suppliers sign agreements in which they undertake to comply, as a minimum, with our statutes based on the "Five Freedoms" for animals, in which animals must:
• Have access to clean water and feed that contributes to their health
• Grow up in a suitable environment where there is room for shelter and rest
• Get access to rapid diagnosis and treatment in the event of injury or illness
• Have the opportunity to exercise their normal behaviour
• Have living conditions and treatment that do not expose them to mental suffering
Our
impact on
communities
2.2
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
Key figures for
sustainable procurement
Here are some key performance indicators we have put a little extra focus on to boost the development of sustainable procurement.
Eggs Sodexo’s global goal is to phase out eggs from battery hens by 2025. We have already reached this goal in Sweden. 100% of both liquid eggs and the approximately 1.8 million whole eggs purchased came from free-range hens
Fish
We are committed to protecting marine environments and do not buy fish that the World Wildlife Fund includes on its red list. About 92% of the fish we served bore the MSC (wild caught) or ASC (farmed) ecolabel.
Chicken
During the financial year, we bought 400 tonnes of chicken. 97% followed the requirements of the Swedish Procurement Authority. In 2019, Sodexo signed the European Chicken Commitment (ECC), committing itself to actively work to influence and support farmers in a transition that improves animal welfare for chickens. The goal is to ensure that all chicken served by Sodexo in Europe meets the animal welfare requirements of the European Chicken Commitment by 2026.
Coffee
92% of all coffee served in our restaurants or coffee machines had one or more of the ECO, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certifications. The goal is to, together with customers, further increase the proportion of certified coffee.
Plastic
Our policy is to avoid the use of disposable items in our restaurants as far as possible. Secondly, we want to replace single-use items with reusable alternatives in a continuous circular flow. Thirdly, if a disposable item is the only option, products made from natural materials must be selected.
During the financial year, 80% of our disposable items were made of fibre or recyclable plastic. Our aim is to increase this figure and we are continuously looking for better and sustainable alternatives.
Paper
We buy large quantities of hygiene paper and office paper. Sodexo’s goal is for all its paper to be environmentally certified.
During the year, 99% of all hygiene paper and 97% of all office paper were certified in this way.
Sustainable food
During the financial year, we started to change our menus to include plant-based alternatives to red meat in particular.
Our impact on communities Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
Sustainability and the hybrid work life
the main topics of Sodexo's participation in
A team from Sodexo was on site in Visby during this year's Almedalen Week to share their experiences and knowledge in panels, roundtable discussions and spontaneous meetings.
There were lively discussions about the importance of sustainable organisations, the hybrid work life, what can be done to combat long-term unemployment, and what Sodexo and our industry need to be able to make a greater contribution to various societal challenges, such as welfare.
Almedalen 2023
Parts of the Sodexo team pose together with other participants during a spontaneous meeting during Almedal Week in Visby.
Our impact on communities
2.2
Promote local development and fair, inclusive and sustainable business practices
The app that makes work more fun
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The app “Mitt Sodexo” is a fast and direct communication channel between managers and on-site teams. To be successful in reaching out and getting people involved, the content needs to be tailored, the flow needs to be kept alive and it needs to be relevant. Natalie Johansson, cleaning coordinator, shows how instructions, safety information and workflows are organised under clear headings.
"For me, it's easy to reach everyone quickly with reminders or words of encouragement. Important information can also be shared by other users. If something happens on site, the person on site can take a picture and submit a report via the app."
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Site manager Magnus K Olsson shows in one of his posts how he reports that one of the airlines wants the cleaners to use double garbage bags to minimise the risk of leakage. Two hours later, 54 people have read the post, some of whom were not on duty that day. In the chat, someone asks if this means that spare bags should also be double. The answer is yes.
Natalie demonstrates receiving a notification when important information is sent out, and that it is possible to report things anonymously.
The speed of the system also adds value for customers as there is room for greater flexibility.
Previously, 100 manuals had to be updated before a new procedure could be introduced, and Magnus never knew who had read an email or what they thought of the content.
"For me, it’s valuable to be able to see who has shared important information. Previously I had to call around. The app also makes it easier for everyone to communicate with management,” says Magnus.
New instructions can also be posted as a video.
"For many people, it's much easier to remember what and how to do something when you see it on a video rather than in a text," says Natalie.
During the financial year, the app “Mitt Sodexo” was made available to every workplace.
Cleaning coordinator Natalie Johansson shares instructional videos via the app “Mitt Sodexo”. Read more
Our impact on communities
Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
Objective 2025
180,000 empowered women in communities
2.3
Our impact on communities Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
Work as a volunteer during working hours
Since Sodexo was founded in 1966, our mission has been to improve the quality of life of our employees and all those benefitting from our services; and to contribute to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, cities, regions and countries in which we operate.
To further enhance and improve the quality of life in these communities, Sodexo also encourages its employees to get involved in activities that benefit the community.
The Sodexo volunteer programme, which was introduced in the 2019 financial year, offers all staff one paid day per year to work for a volunteer organisation.
The volunteer programme gives each staff member the opportunity to make a contribution during paid working hours, for one full day or two half days, on their own or with their colleagues.
Everyone is free to choose a non-profit organisation that works to support society, the environment, animals or people.
The volunteer programme is designed to support and encourage employee engagement and complements our long-standing support to charities across the country through the Stop Hunger network.
Criteria for volunteering
Volunteering must be done for non-profit organisations that benefit society, the environment, animals or people.
This non-profit organisation must comply with Sodexo’s values and human rights principles.
The activity must not be for personal gain, involve relatives, be paid, or be party political or trade union work.
Volunteering will not lead to overtime or extra hours.
2.3
Our impact on communities Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
They wanted to do something for the elderly on their volunteer day
On a beautiful day in May, Marie Linderoth, Site Manager on our assignment at Stora Sköndal, took the client and her team to spend a volunteer day helping out at the Solgården nursing home run by the client.
We provide technical services to manage the property and green spaces at Stora Sköndal. One of our client assignments there previously involved Solgården, a care home for people over the age of 65.
To increase well-being among the residents, Solgården arranges various activities, and sometimes they need help from outsiders. Here volunteers play an important role, especially when the residents go on outings.
Marie and her team felt that they wanted to do something for the elderly in addition to their regular work at the nursing home. By using their paid working hours as volunteers, they contributed to the well-being of the elderly during a picnic.
"We talked to the elderly, listened to their stories and offered them company. This small effort created a strong sense of commitment among our colleagues, and we felt closer as a group. Being able to make an impact on other people's day-to-day lives and improve their quality of life through volunteering is something we are grateful for and proud to do. Thanks to Sodexo for giving us the opportunity to volunteer every year," says Marie.
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The Sodexo team working at Stora Sköndal contributed to the well-being of the elderly on their volunteer day.
Our impact on communities Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
Using their volunteer day to support the Red Cross and the environment
Sodexo's QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) team chose to use their volunteer day to recognise World Environment Day and World Oceans Day by sorting and steaming clothes at the Red Cross on Hornsgatan in Stockholm.
Clothing has a significant environmental impact, with carbon dioxide emissions, water consumption and chemical use in production. Since much clothing production takes place in countries with poor environmental legislation and limited water availability, it is important to reduce consumption.
During the volunteer day, the team managed to process the equivalent of around 150 kilos of clothes. In doing so, they helped save over 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 1,000 cubic metres of water and 200 kilos of chemicals.
Patrik Lundh, Regina Edström, Susanna Strömberg, Anna Burholm and Sofia Eleftheriadis sorted and ironed clothes at the Red Cross on their volunteer day. Read more
2.3
Our impact on communities Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change
Job shadowing
Job shadowing is a global initiative (SheWorks) and an opportunity for all Sodexo employees.
Job shadowing means following a colleague during a working day. The aim is to offer a development opportunity and an introduction to new job opportunities that you might not have thought of otherwise. The benefits of job shadowing are that it increases the motivation of our employees, it is linked to our focus on growth, it strengthens client engagement, expands Sodexo's opportunities for internal development and increases quality of life through personal development.
Job shadowing is interesting and educational
Rasmus Lövrén, who works as a receptionist on one of Sodexo's assignments in Solna, is one of those who tried job shadowing during the financial year.
He says that he first heard about job shadowing from his mother, who also works at Sodexo. Then his manager at the time and HR helped him get in touch with the people he was interested in job shadowing.
Rasmus, who has a master's degree in law specialising in business law, but has not yet worked in law since graduating, thought it would be
rewarding to experience what it is like to work with legal matters within the company. Therefore, he primarily job shadowed Fredrik Olsson in our Legal department, who at the time of the shadowing was working as a commercial lawyer.
"Fredrik's duties were pretty much what I had imagined. I understood that there would be a lot of contract interpretation and discussions about terms and their wording. Among other things, I got to sit in when certain contractual conditions for a site agreement were reviewed and their design was discussed," says Rasmus.
"I found it interesting and instructive to be there and see what a working day at Legal can be like, and what kind of tasks they have. It was also nice to meet people from other aspects of the business. I definitely think that others should also give job shadowing a chance,“ says Rasmus.
Our impact on the environment
Sodexo works with all its stakeholders to create, improve and offer services with a low impact on the environment.
Sodexo offers its employees training in reducing the environmental footprint of its activities, as well as simple everyday tips for limiting the impact of their homes on the environment. Their daily environmentally friendly practices have a considerable impact on individuals and on the planet.
Sodexo creates and offers energy management services that promote the use of renewable energy and generate significant savings for its customers. Sodexo also ensures responsible sourcing by encouraging sustainable agriculture, co-developing products and services based on circular economy principles, and improving resource efficiency management.
Sodexo’s services can drive progress on major issues. For years, Sodexo has been promoting the fight against food waste as one of the essential levers for sustainable
Impact on the environment Today
85.1% of spend on certified sustainable hygiene paper
81.3% of purchased fish and seafood is sustainable
Our WasteWatch program is deployed on 57% of our food sites (based on Raw Material Cost)
55% of the total electricity consumption in our direct operation comes from renewable sources
-5.4% absolute Scope 1, 2 & 3 carbon emissions reduction (compared to Fiscal 2022) -37.6% reduction in our food waste 17.4% of on-site management & senior leaders are trained on sustainable practices
Our impact on the environment
3.1
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within workforces and workspaces
100% of on-site management & senior leaders are trained on sustainable practices Objective 2025
Our impact on the environment
3.1
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within our workforce and workspaces
AI makes our aid equipment technicians' jobs easier
The reconditioning of aid equipment is a large and important part of our Aid Equipment Services, and for our aid equipment technicians it involves handling thousands of products and spare parts. To make things easier and more efficient, we have introduced 'Sodexa', an AI function that answers questions tirelessly. By becoming better at using materials and streamlining processes, we can keep costs down, which is of an ultimate benefit to taxpayers.
Reconditioning is not only about repairing what is broken, but also about restoring a wheelchair or other aid equipment to as close to its new condition as possible.
Reusing instead of throwing away is financially sustainable and also reduces use of the earth's resources. In addition, there will be shorter waiting times for those who need adapted aid equipment.
‘Sodexa’ makes this job easier Marco Lind is a project manager at Sodexo Aid Equipment Services and has led the introduction of AI at the Linköping site and the tool nicknamed Sodexa.
"I often say that instead of us developing specific patterns to retrieve information, we instead tell an AI to create patterns based on the information or context that we give it," says Marco.
The introduction of AI was facilitated by the fact that there was already a database to start from, the answers there have since been gradually improved. The review of the questions most frequently asked of the most experienced technicians, showed that they related to issues that most often arose at the time of production or during production.
"There are many different types of aid equipment and an extremely large number of models. "Equipment may come in that a technician hasn't worked with for months, and instead of interrupting a colleague, you can ask questions about, for example, spare parts in 'Sodexa'," says Marco.
Marco Lind, Project Manager at Sodexo Aid Equipment Services.
Our impact on the environment
3.1
Great development potential The project is still under evaluation, but Marco already sees a number of uses for the technology. New employee training is one of them, where more data sources will make learning more self-instructive, and in the most appropriate language.
Image recognition using AI to identify spare parts and products is another exciting area.
"The better the AI-generated answers, the more working time our employees can spend on activities that add value and improve the quality and service to our customers," says Marco.
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within our workforce and workspaces
Wheelchairs, walkers and toilet aids account for the majority of reconditioned aid equipment. Marco sees dealing with them partly as an act of judgement. Where someone sees scrap, others see opportunities for re-use. The challenge lies in finding the right level. Aid equipment that do not meet Sweden's stringent requirements for function and wear are donated to various aid organisations. Aid equipment that aren’t fit for purpose are discarded.
Sodexo has a number of reconditioning sites, Linköping and Stockholm being among the larger ones. 20-30 technicians work in Linköping, where AI technology has been introduced.
Isham Pek and Nuisha Behjati at the Aid Equipment Services in Hallonbergen prepare an aid for a user.
Our impact on the environment
3.1
Foster a culture of environmental responsibility within our workforce and workspaces
Dynamic cleaning for a cleaner and more sustainable working life
Efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand when it comes to cleaning. This financial year we took it to a new level, by starting to offer a new innovative solution to our customers in the form of dynamic cleaning.
What does dynamic cleaning mean?
This means that cleaning is adapted to actual use, which is both economically and environmentally beneficial. Our employees have access to interactive cleaning schedules that are based on real-time data about how the premises are actually used. With sensors measuring presence and movement in the facilities, we can now carry out cleaning where and when it is most needed.
Think about a meeting room that is used twice as much as another –should not it be cleaned twice as often? We definitely think that this sounds logical, and with dynamic cleaning it becomes a reality.
Minimising
our environmental impact
By aligning our resources and efforts with actual needs, we not only reduce costs but also minimise our impact on the environment.
The future of cleaning is here, and it is dynamic. We are happy to be able to offer this innovative solution to our customers, for a cleaner and more sustainable working life.
Mekke Röyluoglu uses dynamic cleaning at Sodexo's headquarters in Solna and cleans what is most needed, when it is most needed.
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Our impact on the environment
Objective 2025
Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions 34% reduction of carbon emissions
Our impact on the environment
3.2
Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions
Our climate impact must be reduced
Our global environmental goal is to reduce our climate impact by 34% by 2025, taking 2017 as our base year. This commitment has been validated by SBTi, the Science Based Targets initiative. We calculate both direct and indirect emissions, i.e.:
• emissions from our vehicles (scope 1),
• indirect emissions from our energy consumption (scope 2),
• indirect emissions from everything in addition to the energy we purchase or use (scope 3).
The largest single item is indirect emissions from the purchases of the raw materials we use in our kitchens, i.e. the impact on the climate at all stages of the production of these raw materials. This is also where we have the greatest opportunity to make an impact, in particular by increasing the share of plant-based food and reducing food waste.
Between 2017 and 2023, we have reduced our emissions in Sweden by 21%.
Of course, our ambitions do not end after the year 2025. We also have a Net Zero Target for 2040 and an interim target for 2030. This means that we will continue to work hard to reduce our impact on the climate continuously for many years to come.
impact Sodexo Sweden
Our impact on the environment
3.2
Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions
Party atmosphere at a climate-smart October feast
The October feast at Restaurant Björken offered most things in the Bavarian tradition, except that the beer was alcohol-free and the bratwurst pork-free. The theme was a way to entice guests to eat more plant-based food.
In a small shed in the courtyard of Restaurant Björken, André and Jocke are grilling locally produced pork from Andersson & Tillman across the street and bratwurst from "Redefine Meat", an animal-free sausage.
"Sodexo needs to collaborate with our suppliers to manage the transition towards sustainable meals. Events and guest performances are a good opportunity to challenge guests by taking something classic like October feast and offering something new," says Oscar Jonasson, Kitchen manager at Restaurant Björken.
At 11am, one of the regulars appears in lederhosen and a Tyrolean hat, and shortly afterwards a whole crowd arrives, dressed in traditional October feast attire.
Clear leadership most important in the transition
Since the start of the year, the dishes on Björken's menu have had an average climate impact of 0.7 kg CO2e, which is far below what is served for lunch in most restaurants or in Swedish homes. In the food committees involving the site manager and the union, no one complains about not serving more meat.
"If people want burgers, they can have it, but they will not contain beef," says Oscar.
Tanya Edman and Jennifer De Jonge dressed for October feast. Kitchen Manager Oscar Jonasson.
Our impact on the environment
3.2
He believes that clear leadership from both Sodexo and clients is the way forward to achieve Sodexo's goal of becoming a leader in sustainable meals.
"We cannot leave this transition up to our guests and then blame them for not making good choices. If we put pan-fried beef next to a lentil soup, most people will choose the beef. It’s our job to make sure that the pan-fried beef is also climate-smart.”
He himself makes accurate climate calculations relating to everything that is served. He wouldn’t buy anything not up to scratch and with a larger carbon footprint than necessary, even if it were sold for half the price.
Source responsibly and provide management services that reduce carbon emissions
On the menu, all food is presented in a pleasant way. Plant-based food is not labelled as being vegetarian. Then, some people would turn up their noses even before tasting it.
Under Oscar's leadership, for a number of years the entire team has adopted a simple rule to reduce the climate impact of meals.
"Serve
the same things as usual but replace climate culprits such as beef: we only serve that twice a year“, says Oscar.
0.7 kg CO2e on average in the first eight months of the year and not a single dish rated as "high". Read more
The company Klimato's climate tool helps us choose raw materials with a lower climate impact. A special climate symbol on our menus gives our guests the opportunity to make climate-smart choices.
The Sodexo team at Restaurang Björken.
Klimato
Our impact on the environment
Our impact on the
3.3
Champion sustainable resource usage
Waste in Mindglobal initiative that helps us reduce food waste
Did you know that a third of all food produced in the world today is thrown away?
We all have to work together to reduce the amount of food waste, and at Sodexo our aim is to throw away as little edible food as possible in our operations.
Reducing food waste not only reduces our environmental impact, but it also increases the profitability of our meal sites around Sweden.
We have been actively working to reduce food waste at our meal sites since 2013, and this financial year we have further intensified our efforts by starting to work in accordance with a global, internal Sodexo initiative called "Waste in Mind".
The materials available as part of the initiative provide lots of useful tips on how our staff can work in their kitchens to reduce food waste.
The focus is on the areas of planning, production and analysis, as it has been found that changes in these areas in particular result in reduced food waste.
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Our impact on the environment
3.3
Champion sustainable resource usage
Sharp reduction in emissions when food boxes are reused
To significantly reduce the use of disposable packaging, we have introduced reusable take-away boxes together with AstraZeneca in Södertälje. After just one month of testing, the system had already saved 121 kilogrammes of raw materials and consequently 457 kg of CO2, which is equivalent to driving 1,828 kilometers.
Globally, over 300 billion disposable packages are used annually, with less than 5% being recycled, which is a huge waste of resources.
"Instead of the waste of disposable packaging, we have a loop system similar to a library but with food boxes instead of books. This change brings us closer to our goal of a climate-neutral workplace," says Sodexo's Johnny Sandberg, who is responsible for sustainability for the entire AstraZeneca contract.
The change received a positive response with comments such as: "Such nice boxes, too bad you can't buy them" and "Thank you for helping me be more sustainable".
How the system works:
• Guests take a package and scan it, and then they can borrow up to 10 products at the same time for a maximum of 14 days.
• The guest fills the package with food from the buffet.
• The packaging is scanned at the return station, washed and then re-enters the system.
After just 20 uses, the box is already climate neutral in terms of carbon footprint.
Our impact on the environment
3.3
Champion sustainable resource usage
Collaboration saves tonnes of food
At the end of the financial year, a partnership with the food tech company Meal Makers was launched. Via their digital platform, our buyers at the restaurants we run get to know what is in the food producers' warehouses and which, for various reasons, is at risk of food waste. This could be, for example, food with a short expiry date or defective packaging.
In just a few months, we saved 4,345 kg of food from being thrown away. In terms of emissions, this corresponds to 9,493 kg of CO2 equivalents, which is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from around 5,274 Swedish meals (according to WWF's food calculator).
By using everything that is produced, large amounts of water are also saved.
Sodexo is the first company in the private market to offer a jointly developed digital solution, where what is salvaged must fulfil Sodexo's requirements in areas such as animal welfare. We only rescue eggs from free-range hens, palm oil-free products and seafood from sustainable stocks.
What is saved via Meal Makers does not count towards Sodexo's global goal of halving food waste by 2025. That work is about working smart and only covers what we have procured.
"For me, it’s valuable to be able to see who has shared important information. Previously I had to call around. The app also makes it easier for everyone to reach management," says Magnus Holmegård, Head of Supply Management Food Sodexo Nordics.
"This is about doing a good thing and being kind to the climate by reducing waste that is also generated outside our operations. It is important to do everything you can, even if it does not count in our internal statistics," concludes Magnus.
Our impact on the environment
3.3
Champion sustainable resource usage
Food waste brings SigtunaHem´s flowers to life
In the planting beds of our client SigtunaHem, we trialled the use of nutrient-rich compost made from food waste from schools and hospitals. It doesn't get more circular than that.
The composting machine, which turns food scraps into nutritious compost in just a few hours, is located in "Köket Norr" at Sollentuna Hospital and is named "Jabba" after one of the characters in the Star Wars films.
"It feels good to know that what could have been food waste will be useful in the planting beds. We mix a tenth of compost into the soil and it takes care of itself," says Oscar Sturland, a Sodexo park worker.
Supervisor Richard Johansson
is a keen amateur gardener and experiments with this compost soil at home in his greenhouse. In one large pot, plants are in normally fertilised soil and in another the plants have been given weak doses of compost once a week. After a few weeks he realised that everything that flowers grows twice as well in the compost pot, but his tomatoes did not fare as well. Future experiments will show why this is the case. Outside Sweden, hotels and restaurants grow their own vegetables using compost from their own food waste.
"Another advantage of using our own compost is that we don't have to go to the garden shop and buy fertiliser with unknown contents," says Richard Johansson.
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Oscar Sturland and Jenny Gunsaft Karlsson use nutritious compost made from food scraps.
