As we progress into the decade, one thing is clear: the race to net-zero buildings is no longer a choice, it’s an imperative. With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the pressure is mounting for organisations to take decisive action. Governments are tightening regulations, investors are prioritising sustainability, and tenants and employees are demanding greener, more efficient spaces. But the challenge remains: how do we turn net-zero ambitions into real, measurable action?
At Schneider Electric, we believe the answer lies in a three-step strategy: Strategise, Digitise, and Decarbonise. Through this approach – combined with the power of Planon's smart building management solutions – we are helping organisations accelerate their net-zero journeys and transform their buildings into hyperefficient, people-centric, and resilient environments. Let’s explore how.
Step 1: Strategise – Setting the foundation for Net Zero
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. The first step towards decarbonisation is understanding where you stand today. This means assessing your carbon footprint, benchmarking performance across your building portfolio, and setting clear, science-based targets.
We help organisations define their net-zero roadmaps by leveraging data-driven insights from our EcoStruxure™ platform. With tools like Planon’s Integrated Workplace Management Solution (IWMS), companies can track energy usage, space utilisation, and asset performance in real-time, identifying key areas for improvement.
But a strategy is only as good as its execution. That’s why we emphasise not just setting targets, but aligning business operations, financial planning, and technology investments with a net-zero vision.
Step 2: Digitise – Turning data into actionable insights
Data is the backbone of smart, sustainable buildings. Yet today, 68% of data in buildings remains unexploited. The key to decarbonisation lies in unlocking this data, breaking down silos between building management systems (BMS), operational technology (OT), and IT systems, and using AI-driven insights to drive efficiency.
Through IoT sensors, AI-powered analytics, and cloud-based energy management platforms, we enable predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and automated optimisation of building operations. Planon’s smart building solutions, integrated with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™, create a single source of truth, helping facility managers make data-driven decisions that cut emissions and reduce operational costs.
At 150 Holborn, a cutting-edge office building in London, Planon and Schneider Electric collaborated to implement an integrated smart building platform. The result? Reduced energy waste, improved occupant comfort, and industry-leading sustainability certifications. This is the future of net-zero buildings in action.
Step 3: Decarbonise – Implementing scalable, impactful solutions
Once a strong strategy and digital backbone are in place, the next step is to implement tangible decarbonisation measures across the building portfolio. This includes:
- Energy efficiency upgrades: Transitioning to smart lighting, automated HVAC systems, and energy-efficient equipment can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
- Electrification: Moving away from fossil fuel-based systems to all-electric heating, cooling, and vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Renewable energy integration: Installing on-site solar, wind, or geothermal solutions, combined with microgrid technology for enhanced energy resilience.
- Circular economy & sustainable materials: Addressing embodied carbon in building materials and ensuring long-term sustainability in construction and retrofitting.
At Schneider Electric, we have embedded these strategies into our own operations, with ambitious commitments:
- Carbon neutral in our operations by 2025 (with CO2 offsets)
- Net-zero carbon in operations by 2030
- Net-zero across our entire value chain by 2050
The Time to Act is Now
If you're eager to dive deeper into our shared vision for net-zero buildings, I invite you to check out the Innovation Talk I had with Peter Ankerstjerne. We explored the future of smart, sustainable buildings and how our collaboration is driving real impact.
The road to net-zero is challenging, but the benefits are clear: lower operating costs, higher asset value, regulatory compliance, and a more resilient business model. More importantly, we have the technology, expertise, and strategies available today to make it happen.
At Schneider Electric and Planon, we are committed to driving this transformation. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to scale your sustainability initiatives, we can help you turn net-zero ambitions into reality.
The future is sustainable. The future is digital. Let’s build it together.