UN Sustainability Goals

Download our impact report 2023 (17MB)

Our approach to measuring impact will enable us to place a total financial value against the impact we make across our People, Place and Planet commitments, giving real substance to our purpose.

We are therefore aligning our impact measures to relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), given that our government customers are firmly committed to delivering them.

We are proud that many of our operations and ESG initiatives have linkage to the UN SDGs. We contribute to them:

as a public service provider – through the services we provide to citizens and society, and how we provide them;
as an employer – through how we attract, select, manage, develop and look after our colleagues;
through our commitment to support the Net Zero ambitions of our customers and wider society and limit the environmental impact of our operations; and
as a participant in global industry, infrastructure and the wider economy – through how we manage, grow and govern the business.

Our contribution

SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages

From operational hospital management to optimising patient flow, we are committed to delivering better healthcare and improving patient outcomes. Our experience covers acute, community, primary and private healthcare and facilitate healthcare in our immigration and prison operations. We are committed to the safety, health and well-being of our people, creating safe work environments where they have good physical and mental health and the opportunity to thrive.

SDG 4 – Quality education

Through access to basic skills, education or vocational programmes and training, along with recreational or cultural activities and exercise

Across our justice and immigration business we provide educational and vocational training to help those in our facilities have better opportunities when they leave. We create employment opportunities through apprentice, graduate, career and management development schemes to help improve capability and education.

SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

We provide public services, many of which support economic growth. This includes supporting government employment, skills, training, and business support programmes, as well as reducing reoffending. We contribute to economic productivity by investing in people, skills, and innovation throughout our contracts. We respect human rights and offer a physically and psychologically safe working environment for colleagues and those who use our services.

SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

We combine people, processes, and technology to deliver and transform public services through a public service ethos, transferable global experience, full-service integration and an ability to test and innovate, and citizen-centred, outcome-focused service delivery. We also contribute to the industries and markets we work in through trade and professional associations.

UNSDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

We support governments in their tackling of illegal migration, protecting borders while sensitively managing those going through the immigration process. Our business thrives because of our diverse and talented workforce. We are committed to listening to our colleagues and creating work environments where everyone can belong.

SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

We are committed to delivering better government services to citizens, from contact centres and complex case management to the administration of flagship employment and health programmes and the operation of local waste management and leisure services. We build confidence in the transport network: whether heavy rail, light rail, ferries, intelligent transport systems, cycle hire schemes, air navigation services, or more. We provide command and control, data analytics, and surveillance services to law enforcement agencies.

UNSDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Goal 12 – Responsible consumption and production

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, which is key to sustain the livelihoods of current and future generations

UNSDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

We seek to minimise our use of natural resources. For example: reducing packaging, our use of single-use plastics and proactive stock management to reduce waste through obsolescence. We support customers to prolong the life of assets through efficient operation and maintenance programmes. Where Serco has control of waste management services (at our own sites or customers') we strive to provide the most environmentally sensitive waste solution. We seek to partner with waste contractors and brokers who focus on avoiding landfill. We work with our supply chain to minimise waste as we deliver our services to customers.

SDG 13 – Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

We are committed to addressing the environmental and climate emergencies and supporting the Net Zero carbon ambitions of our customers and wider society. We adopt sustainable business practices to reduce the environmental impacts of the services we deliver, the products and services we buy and the ways in which we operate. Our impact and opportunity to make a positive difference from an environmental perspective varies in each market and is dependent on the nature of services we deliver and the level of financial and operational control we hold at any given Contract. Where we have direct control of environmental impacts, activities are managed locally.

SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

We provide essential services across the justice system, from the secure and safe operation of prisons, young adult and escorting services to managing the reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Our experience with armed forces around the world is wide, from running marine operations and base management to the modernisation of ships and maintenance of aircraft.