ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Global facilities services provider Sodexo has been awarded Gold Class distinction in RobecoSAM's annual ‘Sustainability Yearbook 2017'. This is the 10th consecutive year the company has been ranked as the top-scoring company in its sector.

This recognition reflects Sodexo's long-term mission of contributing to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries where it operates. The group delivers services locally in 80 countries.

Commitment to local communities is a major pillar of Sodexo's Corporate Responsibility strategy. For example it fosters local development through its relationships with local employees, clients and suppliers by developing employability and sustaining the economic development of its partners.

It also works in many countries throughout the world to integrate small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into its supply chain. This year the group will once again purchase products and services totaling more than $1 billion from SMEs. This action aims to benefit as many as 5,000 small businesses in 40 countries, with 1,500 of those businesses being women owned and operated.Sodexo also works hand-in-hand with local authorities, clients, NGOs and associations to contribute to the development of local communities. For example, via Stop Hunger, an international non-profit organization created in 1996 by Sodexo employees, Sodexo supports networks of solidarity grocery stores and funds the creation of community gardens in France and Latin America, enabling people to grow healthy food for their families.

The two organisations also help women, who account for 43 per cent of agricultural production and grow 60-80 per cent of the food resources derived from family farming in developing countries, become more autonomous and contribute more to sustainable development while making it a source of empowerment.

Each year, RobecoSAM, a leading asset management company focusing on sustainability investing, publishes 'The Sustainability Yearbook', the world's most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability performance. In 2017, a record number of more than 3,400 companies were considered for inclusion in the yearbook. As many as 867 companies from 42 different countries participated in this year's assessment.

www.sodexo.com