Schneider Electric's 2024 Sustainability Program: Results And Next Steps

Luna Greco

6 min read

Post on Apr 30, 2025

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2024 Sustainability Program: Key Results and Achievements

Schneider Electric's 2024 Sustainability Program yielded significant results across various key areas. The company made substantial progress in reducing its carbon footprint, fostering a sustainable supply chain, and embracing circular economy principles. These achievements demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and pave the way for even more ambitious goals in the years to come.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Schneider Electric achieved remarkable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all three scopes in 2024. This success is a testament to the company's dedication to mitigating climate change.

• Percentage reduction in Scope 1 emissions: 15% compared to the 2020 baseline. This reduction was primarily achieved through the implementation of energy-efficient technologies across our manufacturing facilities and the transition to renewable energy sources.
• Percentage reduction in Scope 2 emissions: 22% compared to the 2020 baseline. This significant decrease was driven by increased procurement of renewable energy, including solar and wind power, for our operations.
• Progress towards Scope 3 emission reduction targets: While achieving substantial progress in Scope 1 and 2, reducing Scope 3 emissions (those from our value chain) presents a greater challenge. We've made inroads by collaborating with suppliers to improve their sustainability practices, resulting in a 7% reduction in emissions from purchased goods and services. Specific initiatives include:
  • Implementing a supplier sustainability assessment program, ranking suppliers based on their environmental performance.
  • Launching collaborative projects with key suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Incentivizing suppliers to adopt renewable energy and reduce waste.
• Examples of successful sustainability initiatives: These include the installation of solar panels at multiple manufacturing sites, upgrades to improve energy efficiency in our buildings, and the transition to electric vehicle fleets for company transportation.

Sustainable Supply Chain Initiatives

Engaging our suppliers in sustainable practices is crucial for achieving our overall sustainability objectives. Schneider Electric made significant strides in 2024 in this area.

• Percentage of suppliers adhering to Schneider Electric's sustainability standards: 70%, a 10% increase from the previous year. This achievement demonstrates our expanding influence in driving sustainability throughout our supply chain.
• Initiatives to improve supplier sustainability performance: These include providing sustainability training, conducting regular audits to assess their environmental performance, and facilitating collaborative projects focused on sustainability improvements.
• Examples of successful collaborations with suppliers: We partnered with several key suppliers to transition to more sustainable materials, including recycled plastics and responsibly sourced metals. One example is our collaboration with a key supplier to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and switch to renewable sources of power.
• Specific materials with improved sustainability: We increased the use of recycled content in our products by 12%, surpassing our initial target. This includes incorporating recycled plastics in many of our product housings and utilizing recycled metals in various components.

Circular Economy Achievements

Embracing the circular economy is key to a sustainable future. Schneider Electric has focused its efforts on implementing circular economy principles across its product lifecycle.

• Progress in product lifecycle management and end-of-life management: We've made significant strides in designing products for durability, repairability, and recyclability. We've also implemented more effective end-of-life management systems for our products, minimizing waste and maximizing resource recovery.
• Initiatives promoting product reuse, repair, and refurbishment: We've launched several initiatives to extend the lifespan of our products, including repair services, refurbishment programs, and take-back programs.
• Examples of successful circular economy projects and partnerships: We've partnered with several recycling companies to ensure proper disposal and recycling of our end-of-life products. We've also developed innovative take-back programs that encourage customers to return used products for recycling or refurbishment.
• Targets for increasing recycled content in products: Our target is to increase recycled content in our products to 30% by 2025, demonstrating our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.

Next Steps and Future Goals for the Schneider Electric Sustainability Program

Building upon the achievements of 2024, Schneider Electric has set even more ambitious targets for its sustainability program in the coming years.

Ambitious Targets for 2025 and Beyond

Schneider Electric's long-term sustainability goals are ambitious and far-reaching. We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions across our operations and supply chain.

• SMART goals for emissions reduction: We aim to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2025 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Targets for renewable energy usage: We aim to source 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
• Goals for sustainable sourcing and supply chain improvements: We aim to have 90% of our suppliers adhering to our sustainability standards by 2025.
• Aspirations regarding circular economy implementation: We aim to incorporate at least 50% recycled content in our products by 2030.

Innovation and Technological Advancements

Investing in innovation and technology is essential to achieve our sustainability goals.

• Research and development efforts focused on sustainable solutions: We are investing heavily in R&D to develop energy-efficient technologies and sustainable materials.
• Investment in renewable energy technologies: We are investing in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind farms, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
• Deployment of smart energy management systems: We are deploying smart energy management systems in our facilities to optimize energy consumption and reduce waste.
• Use of digital tools to monitor and improve sustainability performance: We are utilizing digital tools to track and analyze our sustainability performance, identifying areas for improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

Engaging with stakeholders is paramount for effective sustainability management.

• Collaboration with NGOs and industry partners: We are actively collaborating with NGOs and industry partners to share best practices and promote collective action on sustainability.
• Initiatives to educate and empower employees and customers: We are educating our employees and customers about sustainability and empowering them to make sustainable choices.
• Transparency and reporting on sustainability performance: We are committed to transparent reporting on our sustainability performance.
• Methods for gathering stakeholder feedback: We are actively seeking feedback from our stakeholders to inform our sustainability strategies.

Conclusion

Schneider Electric's 2024 Sustainability Program demonstrates significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices throughout its value chain. The impressive results achieved highlight the company's dedication to environmental responsibility. However, the journey continues. The ambitious next steps outlined, including innovative technological advancements and enhanced stakeholder engagement, further solidify Schneider Electric's leadership in corporate sustainability. To learn more about Schneider Electric's ongoing commitment and detailed plans for their Schneider Electric Sustainability Program, please visit their website.