Schneider Electric’s Partnership to Decarbonise Property

The buildings and construction sector is responsible for 37% of global emissions according to the UN Environment Programme. 

They use a significant amount of energy in operation and the manufacturing of construction materials like cement is often carbon intensive. 

Schneider Electric, Signify and Pineapple Partnerships have launched Pineapple CoRE, a collaboration designed to accelerate decarbonisation across the commercial and industrial property sector. 

While initially focussed on the UK, it could be scaled for global deployment. 

Andrew McKenzie, Commercial Leader for Consultancy UK&I at Schneider Electric, said: “This collaboration offers a valuable opportunity to support commercial and industrial clients in boosting operational resilience and achieving net zero goals. 

“We will provide a clear roadmap for those facing aging infrastructure, rising energy costs and the need to modernise, helping them build a more efficient, optimised and safer estate.”

What is Pineapple CoRE?

The collaboration brings together Schneider Electric’s consultancy that helps organisations to map infrastructure and unlock sustainability opportunities, Signify’s connected lighting and Pineapple Partnerships’ systems-change consultancy. 

Common barriers to decarbonisation include access to finance, fragmented supply chains and skills shortages, so the businesses aim to work together to address these. 

Rupert Snuggs, Managing Director at CoRE, says: “We are delighted to work with our world leading collaborators Signify, Schneider Electric and Atlas Copco as we take the first step on our journey to accelerating the decarbonisation of the built environment by rapidly decarbonising more than 1m buildings in the coming years.”

Pineapple CoRE in action

Edwards Vacuum, part of the Atlas Copco Group, is the first organisation to use this partnership. 

A number of energy solutions are being implemented at its Clevedon, UK manufacturing site to reduce energy consumption and emissions. 

These include:

• Deployment of a digital twin by Schneider Electric for real-time energy performance modelling
• A new solar PV installation
• LED lighting upgrades and IoT-based controls by Signify
• Financing to accelerate capital investment by Pineapple Partnerships

The partnership says that these measures aim to reduce energy consumption by 35% and emissions by more than 80%. 

Chris Adams, Site Manager for Edwards Vacuum in Clevedon, says: “Working with Pineapple Partnerships has been a game-changer in accelerating our factory’s carbon reduction efforts. 

“Their expert assessment of our energy performance has enabled data-driven decisions, including the transition from gas heating to air source heat pumps and the installation of solar panels across our factory roof. 

“The collaboration they’ve facilitated with experts such as Signify and Schneider Electric has significantly shortened our learning curve, allowing us to explore and implement best-in-class solutions with confidence.”

Nico van der Merwe, Cluster Leader for Europe West at Signify, says: “Signify thrives on partnerships, and CoRE is a powerful example of how collaborations can unlock decarbonisation at scale. 

“As a global leader in lighting and sustainability, we know that upgrading to LED and connected lighting is one of the fastest, most cost-effective and impactful actions building owners can take to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. 

“We’re proud to be working alongside Pineapple Partnerships and Schneider Electric to help organisations like Atlas Copco accelerate toward net-zero and build a more resilient, sustainable built environment in the UK and beyond.”

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