Schneider Electric, an energy management and automation company, is accelerating its contribution to meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. To mark the occasion of COP24 in Katowice (Poland), from December 3 to 14, 2018, Schneider Electric is strengthening its commitments to become carbon neutral by 2030 using solutions that will help accelerate the transition towards a low carbon economy
Carbon Neutral by 2030
“The climate emergency is growing, and new players are emerging to tackle the issue. The Paris Agreement signed three years ago provides us with a much clearer understanding of what is at stake. We’re now at a tipping point in limiting global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid a major ecological disaster,”according to Gilles Vermot Desroches, Sustainability Senior VP at Schneider Electric.
In November 2015, on the eve of COP21, Schneider Electric announced its plan to become carbon neutral by 2030. To mark the occasion of COP24, Schneider Electric is strengthening its commitments to fighting climate change based on three complementary initiatives:
- Before 2020: meet the 21 new commitments of the 2018-2020 Schneider Sustainability Impact barometer, outline a specific trajectory based on the assumption that Earth will breach the 2°C warming limit by 2050 and validate it through the Science Based Targets initiative, signed by the Group in 2016.
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 at its plants and sites, in a cohesive industry ecosystem encompassing both suppliers and clients. To that aim, the Group will:
- quantify carbon emissions saved by its customers thanks to its EcoStruxure offers
- switch to 100% renewable electricity, use 100% recyclable or reusable packaging, and recover 100% of its industrial waste
- and double its energy productivity against a 2005 baseline.
- Starting today and by 2050: cut its scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by more than 50% vs. 2015, in line with the guiding principles of the Science Based Targets initiative.
Energy Efficient Future
According to Schneider Electric, what is good for the climate is good for the economy. The company has worked towards a low carbon economy offering numerous opportunities, from sustainable growth to job creation, improved public health and more. A number of Schneider Electric projects in Poland demonstrate this, including:
- Schneider Electric completed an electrical distribution modernization of the Saint Gobain glass factory in D?browa Górnicza in 2017. The replacement and optimization of transformers, thanks to EcoSruxure Power Consulting Services, led to a 16% drop in energy losses (OPEX) in 2018 as well as a 30% drop in capital expenditure.
- Schneider Electric has also equipped the International Conference Center of Katowice, where COP24 will take place, and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Hall, location of the opening concert, with building energy management systems that significantly reduce their energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.