Aramark Releases 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) released its 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report, detailing its enhanced transparency in managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The report, which significantly expands on previous sustainability disclosures, includes new components like materiality analysis and stakeholder engagement strategies. CEO John Zillmer emphasized the importance of addressing ESG topics for business growth and risk management. The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2025, reflecting its commitment to sustainability amid ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Positive

• Significantly expanded sustainability report enhances transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2025.
• 55% of CEO's direct reports are women, indicating progress in diversity.

Negative

• Ongoing recovery challenges post-COVID-19 may impact business operations.

Demonstrates Commitment to Increased Transparency and Progress on Making a Positive Impact on People and Planet

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global provider of hospitality, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries, today released its 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report, a significantly expanded version of its annual sustainability report that highlights the processes Aramark has in place to manage key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and progress toward its sustainability goals.

Aramark today released its 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report, a significantly expanded version of its annual sustainability report, that highlights the processes the company has in place to manage key ESG issues and progress toward its sustainability goals. (Photo: Business Wire)

To enhance its reporting and disclosures, Aramark added several components to its report for the first time including:

• Materiality analysis,
• A new approach to stakeholder engagement,
• Supplemental details on compliance and governance,
• Data aligned with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD),
• Additional demographic workforce data.

“Despite the challenges our business faced as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year only underscored our continued focus on what’s really important: making a positive impact on people and our planet,” said Aramark CEO, John Zillmer. “More than ever, this work is critical – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because addressing ESG topics helps us identify opportunities for business growth, respond to stakeholders, and manage risks to our business.”

PEOPLE IMPACT

Following the establishment of an Executive Diversity Council in 2020, Aramark has made progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company conducted a thorough assessment of its current state and created teams to help attract and recruit diverse talent, grow and develop its people, and ensure a culture of accountability. Fifty five percent of the direct reports of CEO, John Zillmer, are women, and 32.3 percent of salaried managers are people of color. Membership in employee resource groups (ERGs) has increased more than 25 percent in the past six months, and more than 122 events or engagement activities have taken place in the past year. The report also provides updates and progress on employee engagement, how Aramark empowers health and wellness, builds local communities, and sources products in an ethical and inclusive way.

PLANET IMPACT

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is also critical to Aramark’s success. The company evaluated and strengthened the targets and key performance indicators driving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent by 2025. The company determined that a significant portion of its emissions come from purchased goods and services, so it will examine sourcing practices and menu offerings to further reduce emissions related to these areas. The company also raised its ambition level on climate impact, by committing to set enterprise-wide science-based targets. Additional accomplishments highlighted in the report are Aramark’s fuel consumption reduction, food waste minimization, and single-use plastics reduction.

“Aramark has taken significant action over the past year to make a positive impact on people and planet, by enabling equity and wellbeing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. When it comes to operating as a sustainable company, the expectations of our stakeholders are growing, and we’re rising to the challenge,” said Ash Hanson, Aramark’s SVP and Chief Diversity & Sustainability Officer. “Through our strategic planning, materiality assessment, operational execution, impact measurement, and with our work to improve and evolve our reporting and disclosures, we’re striving to do our part to create a better world.”

To read Aramark’s 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report, please click here.

About Be Well. Do Well.

Introduced in 2019, Be Well. Do Well. is Aramark’s sustainability plan and directly connects to the company’s mission: Because we’re rooted in service, we do great things for our people, our partners, our communities, and our planet. Be Well. Do Well. outlines the company’s goal to make a positive impact on people and planet by working to reduce inequity, support and grow local communities, and protect the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com/sustainability.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with food, facilities, and uniform services. Because our culture is rooted in service, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. Aramark has been named to DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list, the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220125005233/en/

Erin Noss

(215) 409-7403

noss-erin@aramark.com

Source: Aramark

FAQ

What is the purpose of Aramark's 2021 Be Well. Do Well. Impact Report?

The report outlines Aramark's strategies for managing ESG issues and its sustainability goals.

How does Aramark plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Aramark aims to reduce emissions by 15% by 2025, focusing on sourcing practices and menu offerings.

What initiatives is Aramark undertaking to promote diversity?

Aramark established an Executive Diversity Council and reported that 55% of CEO John Zillmer's direct reports are women.

What new components were added to Aramark's sustainability report?

The report includes materiality analysis, stakeholder engagement, compliance details, and workforce demographic data.

Why is addressing ESG important for Aramark?

Addressing ESG topics helps Aramark identify growth opportunities, respond to stakeholders, and manage business risks.