Peter Herweck, the CEO of Schneider Electric, spoke at the company’s Innovation Summit in Paris, France about the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable future through electrification and digitization. He emphasized that addressing climate change requires a fundamental shift in thinking, which can be enabled by innovations for impact using digitization and electrification. Since the majority of carbon emissions are related to energy generation and consumption, focusing on these areas can lead to significant improvements in reducing emissions.
Herweck highlighted the need to be more digital, more electrical, and ultimately more efficient in order to address climate change. He emphasized the importance of reliable, secure, and affordable access to energy in powering a decent life. The technologies needed to make energy consumption more efficient and production less carbon-intensive are already available, with automation and artificial intelligence playing a key role in achieving these goals. By incorporating these technologies into various sectors, efficiency savings and emissions reductions can be realized across the value chain.
Schneider Electric, along with its competitors in the industry, provide automation and AI solutions to transform the world’s manufacturing, infrastructural, and industrial complex. These solutions range from smart homes to smart factories, utilizing AI-powered systems to make electricity grids more resilient and home energy management more efficient. The company has increased its research and development spending to nearly 8% of its revenue, focusing on its EcoStruxure architecture and platform that harnesses technologies like IoT, cloud computing, analytics, monitoring, and cybersecurity to optimize energy ecosystems.
The ultimate goal of Schneider Electric is to bring its technologies to homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industries, addressing the growing need for smarter energy management solutions in urbanized areas. The company practices what it preaches when it comes to climate change, being among the global companies with SBTi validated net zero commitments. Schneider Electric has been advocating for cleaner energy and transformation for over 20 years and has outlined its carbon target commitments for 2030 and 2050.
In a world where climate change poses a significant threat to billions of people, companies like Schneider Electric are leading efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainability. By focusing on electrification, digitization, and innovation, the global economy can work towards a more sustainable future. Through advancements in technology and a shift towards more efficient energy consumption, significant progress can be made in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Schneider Electric’s commitment to developing and implementing sustainable solutions serves as a model for other companies looking to make a positive impact on the environment.
