As COP27 approaches, Schneider Electric urges collective, systemic action for a fair energy transition

Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2022 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today called for accelerated action for an equitable transition to net-zero, driven by collaborative action across the private and public sectors.

The company’s call to action comes in the run-up to the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt on 6-18 November, which Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Schneider Electric’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, and other senior Schneider Electric executives will attend.

Described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a “litmus test” of how serious governments are about the growing toll that climate change is taking on the most vulnerable countries, the event takes place against a backdrop of mounting climate-linked disasters and a painfully disruptive global energy crisis.

During COP27, Schneider Electric executives will participate in a series of panels and meet decisionmakers across business, government and civil society, to help advise on of the sometimes still-underappreciated solutions and approaches that can help deliver urgently-needed carbon-reduction action. In-depth analysis from the Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute, for example, is helping to underline the big role that the demand side of the energy equation, and the combination of electrification and digitization can play in accelerating the energy transition.

In line with COP27 and capitalizing on its strong legacy in the Egyptian market with more than 35 years of operations and ongoing cooperation with South Sinai Governorate, Schneider Electric Northeast Africa and Levant has a lineup of activities during COP27 that includes the inauguration of its Sustainability Hub which showcases the company’s solutions and services towards sustainability and the awards ceremony of the “Green Challenge” Competition in collaboration with King Salman International University to encourage students to present innovative solutions that address the challenges the governorate may face. The company will also have a dedicated pavilion in the Green Zone that showcases the impact of Schneider Electric’s solutions on sustainability through the various CSR and community initiatives undertaken by the company in Egypt such as water extraction from wells using solar power in Wadi Silva in South Sinai and El Hottaya village at El Farafra Oasis, lighting Abou Ghoraqed village using the latest solar power technologies, and implementing developmental projects in Esna, Luxor and Dandara, Qena that are equipped with solar cells and innovative irrigation systems, in addition to EVlink Charging Stations for electric cars that will be installed across the governorate.

Also at COP27, the Schneider Electric Foundation is partnering with various NGOs – including Art of Change 21 – to get young people actively involved in combating the climate crisis.

A widely-recognized champion of decarbonization and sustainability, Schneider Electric is a big believer in the need for companies to go beyond just “doing business”, and to work with multiple stakeholders and partners to generate a positive long-term impact on the planet and society.

Schneider’s Access to Energy program, for example, is particularly relevant at the COP27 setting, as it brings affordable renewable power solutions and education to remote communities in emerging countries in Africa and elsewhere.

“The climate and energy crises, and the often unequal economic pain they’re inflicting around the globe, are far too big for any of us to tackle alone,” said Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Schneider Electric’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer. “What we need is faster action, across all fronts, and across all facets and layers of business, government and society – a systemic and collaborative approach that spans both big-picture global initiatives and on-the-ground local action.”