Key Points:
- Esther Finidori appointed as Schneider Electric’s new Chief Sustainability Officer, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the SDGs.
- The company’s strategy aligns with core SDGs including clean energy, climate action, education, and responsible consumption.
- Schneider Electric emphasizes inclusive economies, partnerships, and sustainable innovation as the backbone of its business model.
Schneider Electric Doubles Down on SDG Commitment with Strategic Sustainability Leadership Move
Schneider Electric has appointed Esther Finidori as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, elevating its global commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a critical time for sustainable transformation. Finidori joins the Executive Committee with a mandate to develop and deploy a refreshed sustainability strategy that reinforces both business relevance and social and environmental leadership.
With a background in engineering and public policy—and experience driving France Operations Strategy and environmental initiatives at Schneider Electric—Finidori brings deep expertise to a role that’s increasingly central to the company’s identity as an “impact company.”
She succeeds Chris Leong, who has departed the company and now serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Ecolab.
“We firmly believe that a just transition enabling an inclusive economy is the backbone to bridge progress and sustainability for all,” Leong said during her tenure as CSO.
Advancing the SDGs: Strategy in Action
Schneider Electric is globally recognized for embedding the SDGs into its core business strategy. Its impact spans several high-priority areas:
🌍 SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- Through its Access to Energy program, Schneider has reached over 46 million people since 2009 with decentralized, renewable solutions.
⚙️ SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- The company deploys IoT-enabled technologies and smart grid innovations to help clients optimize efficiency across energy-intensive sectors.
🌱 SDG 13 – Climate Action
- Schneider targets net-zero emissions by 2050 and has already helped avoid 440 million metric tons of CO₂ since 2018 via its EcoStruxure platform.
♻️ SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- Committed to circularity, the company aims for 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025 and ranks as a top performer in ESG ratings globally.
📚 SDG 4 – Quality Education
- The Schneider Electric Foundation is training 1 million underserved youth in energy-related skills by 2025, expanding access to green jobs.
A Business Model Aligned with Purpose
Schneider Electric continues to reframe sustainability not as a side initiative, but as a business driver:
“Sustainability and business growth are not at odds. Quite the opposite — sustainability drives business growth,” stated the company in its latest strategy update.
Former CSO Leong emphasized this convergence in her vision for a purpose-led company:
“To lead by example and, as business leaders, invest in sustainable practices, uplift our communities and partner at an enterprise level for positive change.”
The company’s leadership also underscores the role of partnerships:
“We know that we are stronger when we work together as part of an ecosystem of businesses, governments, investors and civil society partners,” said Schneider Electric in a statement.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact Through Leadership
As Finidori steps into her new role, she will lead Schneider Electric’s efforts to operationalize sustainability at scale—across supply chains, innovation hubs, and global markets.
“Our sustainability and business impacts converge to act for a climate positive and socially equitable world,” said the company.
This next phase of Schneider Electric’s SDG-aligned strategy is expected to deepen its long-term value creation, while expanding access to clean energy, advancing climate goals, and building an inclusive economy that leaves no one behind.
Follow SDG News on LinkedIn
