What's Schneider Electric's Path to Net Zero Sustainability?
Schneider Electric positions sustainability at the heart of its global strategy.
The company’s purpose is to "empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all", according to the Schneider Sustainability Impact 2021-2025 programme.
This company’s purpose is embedded in measurable commitments across climate action, biodiversity protection and social responsibility.
Net zero commitment
Schneider Electric has set a science-based pathway to reach net zero across its entire value chain by 2050.
Key milestones include:
- By 2025: Carbon-neutral operations, supported by 150 zero-CO₂ sites, 90% renewable electricity sourcing and a 50% CO₂ reduction from its top 1,000 suppliers. Additional targets include a 15% increase in energy efficiency at sites, 200 “Waste-to-Resource” certified sites and one-third of its corporate fleet electrified.
- By 2030: Net zero-ready operations, with a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2017, balanced by carbon removals. Across the value chain, Schneider aims for a 25% absolute emissions reduction against a 2021 baseline.
- By 2050: Aim to become net zero across the entire value chain (-90% carbon reduction compared to 2021) by tackling emission reduction across scope 1,2 & 3 and investing in carbon removal for residual emissions.
“Schneider Electric and sustainability go a long way back,” says Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric, in the Schneider Sustainability Impact 2021-2025 programme.
“It has and will continue to be at the core of everything we do. In 2005, we were the first to monitor our impact on people, planet and profit with an industry-leading Sustainability barometer.
“Fast forward 15 years, we’ve saved our customers 108 million tonnes in CO₂ emissions and given about 30 million more people access to energy.”
Biodiversity and resource efficiency
Schneider recognises biodiversity as a material sustainability issue.
Using the Global Biodiversity Score, it tracks impacts across land, ocean and freshwater, with a goal of achieving no net biodiversity loss in direct operations by 2030.
Schneider Electric is committed to 100% deforestation-free wood sourcing by 2030 along with issuing water conservation plans across all sites in water-stressed areas by 2025.
The company is also embedding site-level conservation programmes such as: pollinator landscaping, pond creation and mangrove restoration.
On resources, Schneider is advancing circularity by aiming for:
- 50% green material content in products by 2025
- 100% of packaging free from single-use plastics and using recycled cardboard.
The Schneider sustainability impact
The company’s Sustainability Impact programme defines six long-term commitments and targets for the end of 2025.
Act for a climate positive world
Aiming to deliver 800 million tonnes of CO₂ savings for customers since 2018, with 80% of revenues from green solutions by 2025.
Schneider is also aiming to work with 1,000 top suppliers to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50%.
Be efficient with resources
Aiming to increase product circularity, resource optimisation and biodiversity stewardship.
The company’s 2025 targets include using 50% green material content within products with the aim that 100% of primary and secondary packaging will be free from single-use plastic and use recycled cardboard.
Live up to the principles of trust
Ensuring 100% of strategic suppliers provide ‘decent work’ to employees while maintaining transparency and governance standards, in line with the International Labour Organization definition.
Schneider Electric is set to measure the level of confidence of employees to report behaviour against the company’s Principles of Trust
Create equal opportunities
Expanding gender diversity in leadership (50/40/30 hiring goals) and providing access to green electricity for 50 million people, since 2005.
Harness the power of all generations
Doubling opportunities for young talent and training 1 million underprivileged people in energy management.
Schneider Electric is aiming to invest in new ideas and young entrepreneurs in clean tech with its Innovation at the Edge programme.
Empower local communities
Through initiatives like the Tomorrow Rising Fund, which has supported 73 NGOs in 67 countries.
Schneider Electric’s ambition is not limited to internal transformation.
Its technologies and partnerships aim to accelerate sustainability across industries.
By embedding eco-design, advancing supplier decarbonisation and enabling access to clean energy, Schneider demonstrates how a global enterprise can act as both practitioner and enabler of sustainable change.
