As the 2026 World Economic Forum concluded, energy management leader Schneider Electric issued a strong call for enhanced governmental policy backing to drive industrial decarbonisation efforts. The firm warned that current initiatives are falling short of achieving mid-century net-zero goals, underscoring the urgency of this global challenge.
Strategic Imperative for Climate and Economy
Speaking at the Industry Net Zero Accelerator Initiative, organized by the World Economic Forum's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, Schneider Electric's Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Blum, articulated a compelling vision. He positioned industrial decarbonisation as a critical strategic pathway not only for combating climate change but also for boosting corporate profitability and fostering job creation across sectors.
AI and Energy: An Inseparable Duo
Blum emphasised the deepening interconnection between artificial intelligence and energy systems, stating that we have entered a new era where these two forces are fundamentally linked. "AI requires compute, and compute requires energy. That is why the world needs greater energy intelligence," he remarked, highlighting how this synergy will reshape businesses worldwide.
He pointed out that companies globally face similar hurdles and prospects in optimizing energy efficiency, with Schneider Electric aiming to facilitate this transition through:
- Electrification
- Automation
- Digitalisation
Global Perspectives on Decarbonisation
In her address, Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of United Nations Sustainable Energy for All, reinforced the message. She stressed that decarbonisation is no longer an optional endeavour but an unavoidable economic necessity, particularly vital for delivering positive impacts in emerging economies.
Ogunbiyi urged African governments to craft sustainable policies that enable the implementation of industrial decarbonisation, thereby unlocking significant economic benefits. She noted that Africa and other developing regions, many still in the industrialisation phase, possess a unique opportunity to establish clean industries from the ground up.
Innovative Initiatives and Accolades
At the forum, Schneider Electric, in partnership with EDP, launched EDGE Transition, a global accelerator designed to empower social entrepreneurs. This initiative focuses on delivering clean, affordable energy solutions and inclusive economic opportunities to underserved communities worldwide.
Concurrently, Schneider Electric garnered international recognition for its advancements in artificial intelligence and energy innovation. The company was included in Cohorts 1 and 2 of MINDS, a World Economic Forum programme that spotlights high-impact, real-world AI applications.
Furthermore, the Forum's Global Lighthouse Network awarded Schneider Electric's Wuhan factory, distinguishing it as one of only three factories globally to receive a talent award this year. This accolade, part of a newly introduced category, marks the firm's ninth Lighthouse award, celebrating its pioneering, people-centric workforce model that addresses skills gaps and sets new standards for manufacturing resilience.
