Carbon emissions by 2050 to be reduced by 50% compared to 2015
UN Sustainable Development Goals at COP24
Declared to actively participate to achieve it

Schneider Electric announced on the 13th that it will strengthen its efforts to become a carbon-neutral company by 2030 to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In commemoration of the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) being held in Katowice, Poland from the 2nd to the 14th, Schneider is actively participating in efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. COP24 is attended by 197 parties and serves as a venue to establish detailed guidelines on how to specifically implement the Paris Agreement.


Schneider to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Schneider also attended COP21 in 2015 and announced its strategy to become a carbon-neutral company. To commemorate the hosting of COP24, Schneider is strengthening its efforts to address climate change based on the following three complementary plans.

The first is to implement the 21 commitments of the 'Schneider Sustainability Impact Barometer' from 2018 to 2020. In addition, it presents an overview of specific processes based on the assumption that the Earth will exceed the 2°C warming limit by 2050, and verifies them through science-based goal initiatives.

Second, Schneider aims to achieve carbon neutrality in an integrated industrial ecosystem encompassing all of its customers by 2030. To achieve this goal, Schneider quantifies the carbon emissions reduced by customers through its integrated architecture platform, EcoStruxure. In addition, energy productivity will be doubled compared to 2005 levels, and the transition to new and renewable energy, the use of recyclable or reusable packaging materials, and industrial waste recovery will be 100% implemented.
Third, reduce carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to 2015 levels by 2050 in accordance with the principles of the science-based goals initiative.

In this regard, Gilles Vermot Desroches, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Schneider, said, "Looking at the Paris Agreement signed three years ago, we can understand climate issues more clearly," adding, "We are now at a critical juncture in limiting global temperatures to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels."


Building a sustainable future based on energy efficiency
Schneider believes that eco-friendly technologies have a positive impact on economic development. Therefore, Schneider's solutions facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy and provide diverse opportunities ranging from sustainable growth to job creation and improvements in public healthcare. Schneider's projects in Poland demonstrate this.

Schneider completed the modernization of the power distribution at the Saint Gobain glass plant in Dómbrová Górnica in 2017. Through EcoStruxure's power consulting services, transformers were replaced and optimized, which resulted in a 16% decrease in operating expenditure (OPEX) in 2018 compared to the previous year and a 30% decrease in capital expenditure.

In addition, Schneider installed building energy management systems at the International Conference Center in Katowice, where COP24 is being held, and at the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Hall, the venue for the opening concert, reducing energy consumption while maintaining user comfort.

De Roche said, “The decisions we make today are crucial to ensuring a safe and sustainable world for everyone, both now and in the future,” adding, “At Schneider, we believe that sustainability and innovation are technically possible.”

"In addition, he said, 'COP24, held in Poland this year, demonstrates our contribution by utilizing solutions that are genuine solutions to climate change,' adding, 'It is an opportunity to present ways to help meet the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.'"


Addressing Energy Poverty and Climate Emergencies
Schneider emphasizes that access to energy is a fundamental human right. Responses to climate change cannot be effective without considering the needs of the 2.3 billion people who lack access to energy. Therefore, Schneider is actively promoting sustainable energy benefits everywhere. At COP 24, the Schneider Electric Foundation launches a new mission for its 2019 projects. With the support of the French public foundation 'Fondation de France', it will continue its efforts to address fuel poverty in Europe in partnership with the social enterprise Ashoka.

Climate change is a major cause of natural disasters. To overcome this situation, mobile, clean, stable, and low-cost energy access solutions are needed.

At COP24, Schneider will unveil the 'Villaya Emergency' solution, designed to provide easier access to energy in emergency situations. This new solar-based microgrid solution integrates the expertise of Schneider’s technology-innovative startups, making it usable in any scenario. Since the entire solution fits into a standard shipping container, it can be transported or redeployed quickly and easily anywhere in the world.