Schneider Electric Exceeds Sustainability Targets: A Progress Report

Omar Yusuf

5 min read

Post on Apr 30, 2025

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Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has long championed sustainability as a core business principle. Our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors is not merely a corporate responsibility; it's integral to our long-term success and a vital contribution to a healthier planet. This progress report details our significant achievements in exceeding our sustainability targets, showcasing our dedication to sustainable business practices and the positive impact on our ESG performance. This report highlights our commitment to corporate social responsibility and the strides we’ve made in reducing our carbon footprint, transitioning to renewable energy, and enhancing our social and governance initiatives.

<h2>Significant Reductions in Carbon Emissions</h2>

Our unwavering focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy. Through a multifaceted approach, we've achieved substantial reductions in our carbon footprint, exceeding many of our initial targets.

<h3>Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategies</h3>

We've implemented several key strategies to minimize our impact on the environment:

• Investing in renewable energy sources: We've significantly increased our use of solar and wind energy across our operations, powering our facilities with cleaner energy sources. This has resulted in a 25% reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2018.
• Improving energy efficiency in operations: We've implemented energy-efficient technologies and practices throughout our facilities, optimizing energy consumption and reducing waste. This includes upgrading our equipment, implementing smart building technologies, and optimizing our manufacturing processes. Our efforts resulted in a 15% improvement in energy efficiency across our global operations.
• Carbon offsetting programs: We actively participate in credible carbon offsetting programs to neutralize remaining emissions. These programs support vital environmental initiatives, furthering our commitment to carbon neutrality. We are currently working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

These strategies have been instrumental in exceeding our initial carbon footprint reduction targets, highlighting our strong commitment to ESG reporting and responsible environmental stewardship.

<h3>Supply Chain Sustainability Initiatives</h3>

Reducing our carbon emissions extends beyond our own operations. We're actively engaging with our supply chain to promote sustainable practices.

• Collaborating with suppliers to adopt sustainable practices: We work closely with our key suppliers to assess and improve their environmental performance, encouraging the adoption of sustainable sourcing and manufacturing methods. This includes providing training and resources to help them reduce their carbon footprint.
• Promoting sustainable sourcing of materials: We are increasingly sourcing materials from recycled and renewable sources, minimizing our reliance on environmentally damaging materials. We are actively working to increase the percentage of recycled materials used in our products by 20% by 2025. This emphasis on sustainable sourcing contributes to a more robust and transparent supply chain. Our carbon accounting methods ensure complete transparency in our efforts.

<h2>Progress Towards Renewable Energy Goals</h2>

Transitioning to renewable energy is a critical component of our sustainability strategy. We've made significant progress in increasing our reliance on clean energy sources.

<h3>Increased Use of Renewable Energy</h3>

Our commitment to green energy is evident in the substantial increase in our renewable energy consumption.

• Percentage of renewable energy used: We now source 70% of our electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro), exceeding our initial target of 60% by 2023.
• Amount of renewable energy purchased: Our investment in renewable energy procurement has led to the purchase of over 1.5 terawatt-hours of renewable energy.

<h3>Investments in Renewable Energy Projects</h3>

We're actively investing in renewable energy infrastructure to support both our operations and the wider community.

• On-site renewable energy installations: We've installed solar panels and wind turbines on several of our facilities, generating clean energy on-site and reducing our reliance on the grid.
• Investments in off-site renewable energy projects: We've invested in several large-scale renewable energy projects, supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure and helping to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future. These include investments in wind farms and solar power plants globally.

<h2>Enhancement of Social and Governance Initiatives</h2>

Our sustainability strategy encompasses more than just environmental concerns; it incorporates robust social and governance initiatives.

<h3>Employee Engagement and Wellbeing Programs</h3>

We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that values employee wellbeing.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives: We are actively working to improve diversity and inclusion within our workforce, creating a welcoming environment for employees from all backgrounds. This includes setting ambitious targets for representation in leadership roles.
• Employee wellbeing programs: We offer comprehensive wellbeing programs to support the physical and mental health of our employees, promoting a healthy work-life balance. This includes access to mental health resources, health insurance, and flexible work arrangements. Our improved ESG performance directly reflects our dedication to employee wellbeing.

<h3>Ethical Sourcing and Human Rights</h3>

Upholding human rights and ethical sourcing throughout our supply chain is a critical aspect of our operations.

• Supply chain transparency: We are committed to transparency and accountability in our supply chain, ensuring that our suppliers adhere to our ethical sourcing standards and respect human rights. This is achieved through rigorous audits and supplier engagement programs.
• Responsible business practices: We work to ensure fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and environmental sustainability within our entire supply chain. This commitment to responsible business practices further contributes to our overall ESG performance.

<h3>Governance and Transparency</h3>

Transparency in our sustainability reporting and corporate governance is paramount.

• Robust sustainability reporting: We publish detailed sustainability reports annually, providing transparent and comprehensive information on our performance against our ESG targets. This includes data on our environmental impact, social initiatives, and governance practices.
• Strong corporate governance: We maintain high standards of corporate governance, ensuring accountability and ethical decision-making throughout our organization. We are committed to ensuring transparency and accuracy in our ESG disclosure.

<h2>Conclusion: Schneider Electric's Commitment to Sustainability</h2>

Schneider Electric's commitment to sustainability is unwavering. This progress report demonstrates our significant achievements in exceeding our sustainability targets, significantly reducing our carbon emissions, expanding our use of renewable energy, and enhancing our social and governance initiatives. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to environmental responsibility, ethical business practices, and positive social impact. Our efforts contribute to a healthier planet and strengthen our reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. Learn more about Schneider Electric's commitment to sustainable business practices and discover how we're exceeding our sustainability targets. Explore our sustainability reports and join us in building a more sustainable future. [Link to Sustainability Report]