Schneider Electric: The World’s Most Sustainable Company

Corporate Knights has been ranking the world's 100 most sustainable corporations since 2005, basing research on rigorous assessment of public companies and revenue over US$1bn.

The company says that its research finds that top firms are continuing to increase investments in the green transition.

Toby Heaps, Co-Founder and CEO of Corporate Knights says: “We’re finding that growth in sustainable revenues is outpacing all other revenues.

“Over the last five years for major global public companies, sustainable revenues are growing twice as fast as other revenues, and they now represent over US$5tn of annual revenues for the 3,000 biggest companies that we track.”

For the first time Statista and TIME have named the World’s best companies in Sustainable Growth.

The analysis was based on three sources: 

• Revenue Growth Data: Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
• Financial Stability KPIs: F-score, Z-score and Profit
• Environmental Impact Data: Waste, Emissions, Energy and Water use

The research named Schneider Electric as the best, with a score of 93.85.

What makes Schneider number one?

Schneider has six long term commitments:

• Climate 
• Resources
• Trust
• Equal
• Generations
• Local 

The company has also split its headquarters across multiple global regions rather than maintaining a single headquarters. 

Utilising its multi-hub set up empowers employees to make decisions that best suit each region of the company. 

Esther Finidori, Chief Sustainability Officer, Schneider Electric said in Linkedin: “I’ve been asked “What does it take to become the World’s Most Sustainable Company?

“For me, the key elements are passion and vision.

“The world is changing rapidly, and we face two major imperatives:

• “Achieving net zero to sustain our way of life and economic growth.
• “Closing the loop on material flows to protect biodiversity and our ecosystems.

“To succeed, we must collaborate across the value chain driving partnerships and innovation to transform how we all operate.

About Schneider's Chief Sustainability Officer

Esther Finidori started at Schneider in 2016 as Director, Sustainable Supply Chain and CO₂ Strategy and has most recently taken on the role of Chief Sustainability Officer in June 2025.

Before her career at Schneider, Esther worked as an environmental consultant, specialising in climate change and energy transition.

She holds a Master of Science in Engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris and a Master of Philosophy in Technology Policy from the Judge Business School of Cambridge University.

Schneider’s climate and resource commitments

Schneider has an ambitious plan for end to end decarbonisation.

The company's net zero target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, aiming to reduce carbon by 25% across its entire value chain by 2030, with the end goal of meeting net zero by 2050. 

To deliver on the target Schneider plans to use four tools: green tariffs, renewable certificates, power purchase agreements and on-site generation. 

Schneider also aims to have no net biodiversity loss in operations by 2030.

Aiming to do this by utilising water conversation action plans, local biodiversity conservation and restoration plans for all sites.

What is Schneider doing to build trust and equality?

The company says that trust is at the core of the environment, sustainability and governance commitments.

It says that it has a zero tolerance policy for corruption, encouraging employees and partners to act with business integrity. 

Schneider reports that it has seven women in its Executive Committee, aiming to keep raising the bar of gender equality by eroding the pay gap, fighting biases and flexible work and leave policies.  

“What truly sets Schneider Electric apart is our commitment to employee diversity," says Natalya Philogene, Group Head of Internal Control, Schneider Electric.

“The diversity of our leadership teams is not just a statistic. 

“Our multi-hub model, which often intrigues those outside Schneider Electric, is a source of innovation, attractiveness for talents and inspiration for the younger generation.

How Schneider supports Generations and local schemes

Schneider holds Career Week events across 100 countries, 40,000 employees use its learning portal monthly and 90% of employees go through digital upskilling through various training programmes.

The company also uses AI to match internal supply and demand for jobs, projects and mentorship opportunities, enabling employees to take ownership over the development  and drive of their careers.

It runs a programme, VolunteerIn, inspiring people to give back to communities through mentoring, training and contribution to sustainable initiatives from local partners.

Over two years Schneider drove 200 local initiatives that impacted communities and the environment.

Melanie Weber-Schwabe, HR Business Partner, Schneider Electric says on Linkedin: “Schneider Electric has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the world, this recognition didn’t happen overnight. 

“It’s the result of decades of bold decisions, hard work, and a clear purpose: to empower everyone to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all.

“Since 2005, we’ve followed a roadmap grounded in innovation, accountability, and a relentless commitment to a greener, more equitable future. 

“Being part of a company that truly leads by example in sustainability is not just motivating – it’s humbling.”