The $42 Billion Sustainability Leader

Energy powers every switch, factory, and data center, flowing through a vast system of production and distribution. That system leaves a heavy footprint; emissions, resources, and costs.

Schneider Electric, with operations in more than 100 countries, is working to change that. Known as a leader in energy management and automation, the company is trying to prove that energy systems can be efficient, inclusive, and low-carbon. Its ambition: embed sustainability into every aspect of how the world produces and consumes power.

 

Schneider’s Climate Commitments

Schneider has set ambitious targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative:

• Net-zero across its value chain by 2050.
• Zero-CO₂ operations by 2030 (90% reduction in Scope 1 & 2, neutralizing the rest).
• 40% cut in supplier emissions by 2025 through the Zero Carbon Project.

This is not about waiting for regulation—it’s about moving ahead of it.

“As an Impact Company, we are convinced that to do good, we must do well, and vice-versa.”  — Chris Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer, Schneider Electric

 

Progress in 2024

2024 was a year of real progress for Schneider:

• 154 Zero-CO₂ sites in operation, beating the 150 target a year early.
• 96% of electricity in operations now from renewable sources.
• 31% of the corporate fleet is electric.
• 679 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided for customers since 2018.
• 53.4 million people gained access to clean electricity since 2009.
• 824,000 people trained in energy management skills.
• 38% recycled or bio-based materials in products, and 74% of packaging free from single-use plastic.

 

Decarbonizing the Value Chain

Most emissions sit outside a company’s own operations. Schneider’s approach has been to extend its reach:

• The Zero Carbon Project worked with the top 1,000 suppliers to cut emissions by 40% by 2024, making real progress toward the 50% target for 2025.
• Customers are a major focus: Schneider’s efficient products, from smart meters to industrial automation systems, have helped avoid hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO₂.
• Green Premium™ products—those with clear environmental data and eco-design—now represent 82% of Schneider’s revenue.

💡 The effect is multiplied: cleaner supply chains, efficient customers, and lower overall emissions.

 

Social Impact: Powering Communities

Energy access is not equal. Millions still live without reliable electricity. Schneider has made this part of its mission:

• By 2024, 53.4 million people had gained access to affordable, green energy.
• Regional reach: 279,000 trained in China, 107,000 in India, 106,000 in Asia/Indonesia, and tens of thousands across Africa, OECD countries, and the Americas.
• Employees have given 75,461 volunteer days since 2017, far above the 50,000 target.

For many, this means a solar-powered clinic with lifesaving equipment, a microgrid powering schools, or training programs that create new jobs.

💡 In 2024, Schneider helped solarize health centers across South Asia and Africa giving doctors and patients reliable, green electricity, part of the 7 million people newly connected that year.

 

People and Inclusion

Inside the company, Schneider is focused on fairness and opportunity:

• 42% of new hires are women.
• 30% of frontline managers are women.
• 31% of leadership teams are women (target met early).
• The gender pay gap is below 1% globally.
• 80% of employees have been digitally upskilled.

The one area needing attention: workplace safety. Medical incidents rose slightly in 2024, reminding the company that progress is never final.

 

Governance and Trust

Trust and accountability are essential for long-term progress:

• 99% of employees completed ethics and cybersecurity training.
• 83% feel confident to report misconduct.
• 4,052 suppliers assessed under France’s Duty of Vigilance program.
• 63% of strategic suppliers now provide decent work conditions (up from 1% in 2022).
• 90% of critical products are dual-sourced for resilience.

 

Business Impact: Growth Through Green

Sustainability is also driving Schneider’s growth:

• 2024 revenues reached €38.2 billion, up from €35.9 billion in 2023.
• 74% of revenue now comes from sustainable “impact” products and services.
• The company’s SSI score (7.55/10) is directly tied to employee incentives and financing, aligning profit with progress.

💡 Nearly 300 Schneider sites worldwide are deploying biodiversity conservation projects from reforestation to pollinator gardens with 85% of actions already complete.

 

Driving Impact Across Supply Chains

Schneider’s scale creates ripple effects beyond its own business:

• Suppliers adopt cleaner processes and materials.
• Customers save emissions through smarter energy use.
• Industries follow its lead on SF₆-free switchgear and recycled plastics.

Every project from electrified fleets to green product design pushes the broader economy toward lower-carbon pathways.

 

Powering the Future

Energy will shape the future of every industry and every community. By making it efficient, accessible, and fair, Schneider is helping ensure that the world’s growth is powered by sustainability.

 

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