Sodexo recognizes the critical link between its value chain and biodiversity preservation. For terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, land-use change has had the largest negative impact on nature since 1970, while in marine ecosystems, direct exploitation such as overfishing has been the primary driver of biodiversity loss (IPBES). These pressures not only degrade ecosystems but also undermine livelihoods, food security, and the resilience of local and Indigenous communities who depend on them.
Partnering with WWF, we identified Deforestation & Conversion and Sustainable Fish & Seafood as material biodiversity risks. This was confirmed during the SBTN assessment (Steps 1 & 2), conducted in Fiscal 2024, which reinforced the focus on deforestation, land-use change, and sustainable sourcing of marine resources as strategic levers to reduce biodiversity impact. Looking forward, Sodexo will expand this work by conducting a full risk, opportunity, financial impact evaluation and resilience analysis as part of its next climate assessment, ensuring biodiversity considerations are fully integrated into long-term planning and as part of responsible sourcing.
Sodexo has adopted policies to address deforestation and ecosystem conversion across its supply chain. Under its Better Tomorrow 2025 roadmap, Sodexo formalized a global commitment to a deforestation and conversion-free supply chain by 2030, covering four high-risk commodities: palm oil, paper, soy and beef.
In alignment with its social sustainability commitments, Sodexo’s deforestation and conversion policy also promotes respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, supporting fair labor practices, and ensuring supplier accountability through human rights due diligence and grievance mechanisms.
These policies implement concrete mechanisms, supplier Codes of Conduct, sourcing standards, certification requirements, and annual public reporting, to ensure traceability, accountability, and progressive elimination of deforestation risks. Progress is publicly monitored through sustainability reports and partnerships, reinforcing Sodexo’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity protection.
Please refer to section 2.2.2.3 Water and marine resources (E3) for information regarding Sodexo's Sustainable Fish and Seafood Policy.
Sodexo does not currently use biodiversity offsets in its action plan and has no plans to implement them at this stage.
Sodexo considers that material biodiversity impacts arise primarily through its value chain rather than its own facilities. While Sodexo acknowledges the reputational and legal relevance of biodiversity in its operations and remains committed to complying fully with applicable environmental regulations, Sodexo considers its principal impacts and management responses to be located beyond its direct sites. Therefore, Sodexo does not disclose a site list of biodiversity-sensitive areas in direct operations.
Metrics relevant to above topics can be found in the following sections:
