Business & Sustainability Report - Fiscal 2023

Materiality Matrix

Materiality Matrix

Sodexo’s wide range of activities and services contributes to developing strong relationships with multiple stakeholders. In 2021, Sodexo conducted its third materiality assessment to confirm the validity of its corporate responsibility roadmap.

The process of identification and ranking of key issues and impacts was conducted in consultation with both internal and external stakeholders and the support of an external partner.

Sodexo recognizes that its activities – and the way they are carry out – have impacts that reach well beyond its financial performance. In order to remain successful in the long term, Sodexo needs to continue engaging its stakeholders and society at large.

Understanding their views on the economic, environmental and governance topics affecting Sodexo, allows the Company to better address their concerns and exchange constructively on different issues.

This requires understanding the correlation between different topics and defining scenarios for which Sodexo wants to be prepared.

The materiality assessment enhances the dialogue with key stakeholders and helps to identify and drive understanding on corporate responsibility topics that affect Sodexo and its stakeholders today and in the future.

Firstly, the materiality analysis was carried out at the Group level.

Subsequently, the study was adapted for the main Sodexo countries in order to take into account their specificities.

In Fiscal 2024, Sodexo will conduct its first double materiality assessment to meet the reporting requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

This graph shows the materiality matrix of Sodexo.

Importance for Sodexo

High:

  • Animal welfare
  • Water consumption and quality

Very high:

  • Environmental impacts of purchases
  • Carbon emissions
  • Employee social dialogue
  • Access to affordable and healthy food
  • Sustainable offerings
  • Fair relationship with suppliers and subcontractors
  • Employee training and development
  • ESG Governance
  • Business adaptation and resilience to climate change
  • Choice of clients and suppliers aligned with Company values
  • Under-represented communities empowerment and inclusion
  • Local socio-economic impacts
  • Transparent communication and information on products
  • Waste management (non-organic)

Critical:

  • Safety and quality of food and FM services
  • Occupational health & safety
  • Food waste
  • Business integrity
  • Respect of human and workers’ right in the supply chain
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Data privacy and protection
  • Employee well-being
  • Packaging and plastics
  • Talent attraction
  • Consumer experience and outcomes
  • Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder expectations

High:

  • Water consumption and quality
  • Under-represented communities empowerment and inclusion
  • Local socio-economic impacts
  • Transparent communication and information on products
  • Waste management (non-organic)
  • Talent attraction
  • Consumer experience and outcomes
  • Stakeholder engagement

Very high:

  • Animal welfare
  • Access to affordable and healthy food
  • Sustainable offerings
  • Fair relationship with suppliers and subcontractors
  • Employee training and development
  • ESG Governance
  • Business adaptation and resilience to climate change
  • Choice of clients and suppliers aligned with Company values
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Data privacy and protection
  • Employee well-being
  • Packaging and plastics

Critical:

  • Environmental impacts of purchases
  • Carbon emissions
  • Employee social dialogue
  • Safety and quality of food and FM services
  • Occupational health & safety
  • Food waste
  • Business integrity
  • Respect of human and workers’ right in the supply chain