Schneider Electric Recognised at the SB COP30 Awards

As November nears, attention is turning to Brazil ahead of sustainability leaders from around the world descending on Belém for COP30. 

Debuting at COP30 is The Sustainable Business COP (SB COP), a global initiative spearheaded by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

The SB COP30 Awards, which attracted more than 200 applications, has recognised Schneider Electric’s Partnering for Sustainability initiative that supports SMEs on their decarbonisation journey.

“This award recognises something I've been passionate about for years – you can be sustainable AND a better-performing business,” says Sorouch Kheradmand, Global Head of Sustainability at Schneider Electric.

“Put simply: what's good for the planet is good for your wallet.”

What is SB COP?

Formally recognised by the Brazilian Government and aligned with the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, SB COP aims to create a lasting, structured channel for business engagement within global climate governance.

The initiative seeks to shape and advance the climate agenda, elevate private sector representation in multilateral decision-making and enable tangible progress toward decarbonisation, a low-carbon economy and climate finance innovation.

Designed to extend beyond the summit as a long-term platform to amplify private sector participation in international climate negotiations, SB COP has been created to act as a continuous and collaborative forum for the business community to build alignment, share strategies and set priority policies that address pressing climate challenges.

SB COP plays host to a series of working groups, each focussing on a different theme including:

• Energy Transition
• Green Skills
• Sustainable Cities
• Bioeconomy
• Trade & Investment
• Food Systems
• Circular Economy and Materials
• Nature based solutions
• Transition finance and Investments 

The organisation’s goal is to mobilise companies and investors into meaningful climate action, establishing a permanent mechanism through which business can monitor, guide and influence the evolution of global commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Partnering for sustainability

Schneider Electric’s global initiative is called 'Partnering for Sustainability'. It's a new programme designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accelerate their decarbonisation journeys and participate in the global transition to net zero. 

Recognised by the SB COP30 Awards for its inclusive and scalable approach, the initiative reflects Schneider Electric’s mission to democratise access to sustainability through technology, partnerships and education.​

“Our whole purpose has been to build a new narrative: one that reconciles business with climate action,” Sorouch says.

“Creating a world where every business person out there can link the language of profits and business with decarbonation and sustainability.”

At its core, Partnering for Sustainability connects SMEs with Schneider Electric’s network of digital tools, training and financial incentives to simplify carbon reduction. 

The initiative integrates resources like Zeigo Activate – an intuitive emissions management and energy efficiency platform – that enables businesses to baseline their carbon footprint, set reduction targets and access tailored solutions through the Zeigo marketplace. Complementing this is the Schneider Electric Sustainability School, which equips SME leaders with the scientific and practical foundations of decarbonisation.​

Through the programme, SMEs gain access not only to expertise but also to exclusive incentives such as solution vouchers, mentorship opportunities and ongoing performance monitoring. The approach enables smaller businesses to overcome typical barriers such as limited knowledge, high costs and resource constraints. 

Ultimately, the initiative empowers SMEs to decarbonise their operations, strengthen regulatory compliance and improve competitiveness in a low-carbon economy. 

By fostering collaboration across industries and markets, Partnering for Sustainability aligns with Schneider Electric’s broader goal of bridging progress and sustainability – ensuring that no business, regardless of size, is left behind in the global clean energy transition

“Everything we do proves one thing: Being sustainable IS being profitable,” Sorouch says.

“Business and meaning are actually good friends.”