How Technology Boosts Sustainability for Schneider Electric

As global industries grapple with the escalating urgency of climate change, the focus on sustainability within the energy and automation sectors has intensified. 

Companies are under pressure not only to transform their own operations, but also to deliver vital solutions that help clients decarbonise, boost energy efficiency, and adapt to evolving regulations and societal expectations. 

Schneider Electric is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most sustainable companies through its integration of advanced technology and a clear sustainability vision.

“At Schneider Electric, we believe the solution lies in rethinking how we design, source and use resources,” says Scott Harden, Chief Technology Officer at Schneider Electric. 

“That means choosing lower-impact materials, and supporting customers through repair, reuse, refurbishment and take-back programmes that extend product life and reduce waste.​”

Schneider Electric’s sustainability strategy and ambitions

At the heart of Schneider Electric’s mission is a drive to become a net zero company across its entire value chain by 2050, with intermediate milestones validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

The company’s strategy is embodied in the Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) programme – now in its third iteration – which sets out concrete, measurable targets aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

The programme rests on six foundational commitments:

• Act for a climate-positive world
• Be efficient with resources
• Live up to principles of trust
• Create equal opportunities
• Harness the power of all generations
• Empower local communities

These commitments are backed by specific goals, such as:

• Achieving a 25% absolute reduction in carbon emissions across the value chain by 2030.
• Ensuring carbon-neutral operations by 2025 and a “net zero ready” posture by 2030 – emissions reduced at least 90% from 2017 levels.
• Empowering access to green energy for 100 million people by 2030, doubling the company’s prior achievements.
• Reducing emissions from top suppliers by 50% through the Zero Carbon Project by 2025.
• Making no net biodiversity loss in operations by 2030.

This ambitious journey is bolstered by transparent, regularly-audited metrics, and a culture of continual improvement on ESG dimensions.

Putting technology at the center of sustainability

Schneider Electric’s core differentiator is the innovative use of digital technology, automation, and AI to accelerate its own sustainability achievements and support customers in their decarbonisation journey.

The company’s flagship digital platform, EcoStruxure, leverages IoT, advanced analytics and edge control to deliver visibility into energy use and emissions across homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industrial operations. 

Real-time data enables organisations to track progress toward sustainability goals, optimise energy use and minimise waste. 

For instance, in Schneider’s own Lighthouse factories, deploying digital automation has yielded ongoing carbon reductions and boosted energy efficiency – sometimes retrofitting older plants to meet modern standards.

AI and data

Recognising that the energy transition is data-driven, Schneider Electric is investing in agentic AI – AI systems that actively adapt and optimise for emissions reduction, predictive maintenance and resource efficiency. 

These tools support smarter grid management, enable precise emissions tracking and automate compliance reporting, all of which are increasingly vital for regulatory and investor transparency.

“For many years now, sustainability has been at the heart of what Schneider Electric does,” says Olivier Blum, Schneider Electric's Chief Executive Officer. 

“For an IMPACT company it's more than just a corporate goal, it's the driving force that shapes our business decisions and inspires our employees.”

Supply chain and green IT

Beyond internal operations, Schneider Electric works closely with more than 1,000 top suppliers to decarbonise the supply chain by half by 2025, providing training, software and technical support for emissions tracking and energy efficiency. 

The company’s green IT programmes are also optimising digital infrastructure to minimise technology’s environmental impact.

Real-world results

By 2024, Schneider Electric had already empowered customers to save and avoid nearly 700 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions – well on the way to its 2025 goal of 800 million tonnes. 

Its clean energy and electrification projects now provide reliable, sustainable power to more than 50 million people, with a goal of reaching 100 million by 2030. 

All these efforts are measured via independently audited SSI scores, with the latest reports showing Schneider exceeding its interim sustainability targets and maintaining its position as an industry benchmark for impact.

“With six months to go in our 2021–2025 SSI program, we remain focused on delivering on our purpose: to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all,” says Esther Finidori, Chief Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric. 

Schneider Electric’s integrated approach – leveraging digital platforms, cutting-edge AI and collaborative supply chain initiatives – demonstrates how technology is not just an enabler, but a fundamental driver of sustainability in the corporate world.