Supply Chain

Christophe Quiquempoix, Sustainable Procurement, A 5 Year Journey | P&SC LIVE: Net Zero 2026

SupplyChainDigital
SupplyChainDigital•Mar 20, 2026

Why It Matters

Schneider Electric’s integrated procurement strategy demonstrates how large corporations can drive measurable supply‑chain decarbonization, setting a benchmark that pressures peers and suppliers alike to adopt robust ESG practices.

Key Takeaways

  • •Schneider Electric cut supplier emissions intensity by 56% in five years.
  • •ZeroCarbon program engaged 1,000 top suppliers with training and tools.
  • •ESG risk audits cover all 50,000 suppliers, with 220 annual audits.
  • •Green material and packaging initiatives halve single‑use plastic usage.
  • •Decarbonization financing and digital calculators accelerate SME supplier adoption.

Summary

Schneider Electric used its P&SC LIVE platform to unveil a five‑year sustainable procurement framework anchored by the ZeroCarbon project, a bold initiative to halve the carbon intensity of its top 1,000 suppliers. The French‑based $40 billion company, with 150,000 employees, 160 factories and 50,000 suppliers, positioned collaboration at the core of its ESG strategy, rolling out a suite of programs that span risk assessment, continuous improvement, compliance and transformational actions.

The program begins with a supplier code of conduct and an annual ESG risk audit that ranks all 50,000 suppliers, followed by 220 on‑site audits each year. Strategic suppliers (about 800) are monitored through EcoVadis scores, targeting an average rating of 66.9. Parallel initiatives address green steel, aluminium and thermoplastics, as well as a sustainable packaging drive that cut single‑use plastic use by half. Socially, the Decent Work and Social Excellence programs push suppliers to adopt living‑wage policies, gender‑balanced parental leave and human‑rights remediation plans.

Execution hinged on intensive capability building: more than 3,000 supplier staff received training, 180 webinars were delivered, and a custom digital hub (Zygo Hub) provided carbon‑footprint calculators, target‑setting tools and a marketplace for renewable‑energy PPAs. The ZeroCarbon effort organized global kick‑offs, maturity assessments, and regional workshops, culminating in a 56% average reduction in emissions intensity across participating suppliers. Recognition schemes and green‑supply‑chain financing further incentivized small‑ and medium‑size enterprises to invest in decarbonization.

The results signal a scalable model for large industrial firms seeking to embed sustainability across complex supply networks. By marrying rigorous audit processes with collaborative tools and financing, Schneider Electric not only advances its own Net‑Zero 2026 ambition but also raises the ESG bar for its 50,000‑strong supplier ecosystem, creating measurable climate impact and a competitive advantage in a carbon‑constrained market.

Original Description

This keynote offers a candid look at a five-year journey to embed sustainability into procurement, with a sharp focus on supplier engagement across Scope 3 decarbonisation and decent work. It explores how expectations were set, partnerships were built, and data and accountability were strengthened to drive progress beyond tier-one suppliers. Reflecting on what worked—and what didn’t—the session shares practical lessons on incentivising action, overcoming capability gaps, and balancing ambition with commercial reality. Looking ahead, it outlines what’s next for sustainable procurement: scaling impact, deepening collaboration, and using procurement as a lever for both climate action and social value across global value chains.
Follow the Supply Chain Digital stories further:

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...