CSR PORTRAIT N°8: Schneider Electric Vietnam

Can you explain your activity in a few words?

At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment.

We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries.

We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

www.se.com

Have you already implemented a social or environmental project in your company? Or do you have a sustainable development policy?

At Schneider Electric, sustainability is part of everything we do — every decision, every innovation, and every initiative. I know this sounds very bold and I like to be part of a great team, which is passionate to fulfill this promise.

For us, sustainability extends far beyond a vague hope for a cleaner planet. We believe that access to energy is a fundamental right, and therefore a truly relevant vision for sustainability must be seen holistically. This is reflected in our Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) where our sustainability goals (21) are grouped under 5 megatrends, namely Climate Change, Circular Economy, Health & Equity, Ethics and Development. We use the SSI to share and measure our progress toward our sustainability goals. The Schneider Sustainability Impact statement is externally audited, and progress is published quarterly https://sdreport.se.com/en.

To implement and drive our sustainable efforts we have created the Schneider Electric Foundation, which supports future generations and forward-looking initiatives to give as many people as possible the energy they need to succeed.

https://www.se.com/ww/en/aboutus/sustainability/foundation/

Our Main social and environmental program is called Access to Energy and focuses on 3 pillars: 

• Solar Offers: Providing low cost solar solutions for off-grid communities (different electrification solutions from solar lamp to microgrids).
• Impact Investments: Investment funds for local innovative energy entrepreneurship.
• Vocational Training Program: We provide didactic solutions and Training, both technical and business, to address local skill shortages in the electricity sector for underprivileged communities.

In Vietnam we succeed to support 300 families on a yearly base to have access to basic lightening through our Mobiya solar lamp. We run an annual Fundraising called “Light it Up” where Schneider Electric employees, Partner, customer and others join hands to raise funds.

In Vietnam, at this moment we work closely with 3 NGO’s to support 17 colleges and training center, where around 1.000 disadvantaged students are trained every year.

 What type of advice would you give to other companies in Vietnam to launch such CSR project?

I would recommend having a look into the CSR guidebook from CCIV to find inspiration on what CSR means and which actions you can take. Then meet with all stakeholders of the company and agree which actions you want to take. First initiatives can be social and environmental engagement inside and outside your company. For community building I would partner with an NGO, they usually have the experience to guide you and implement the project successfully. If you want to build a sustainable strategy linked to your core business and taking the whole ecosystem into account, look for an expert to help you.