THE PROCUREMENT INTERVIEW
The scale of Scope 3 emissions and supply chain sustainability can appear overwhelming. Managing a vast supplier ecosystem requires a delicate balance between rapid environmental improvements and maintaining strong supplier relationships. Schneider Electric has navigated this challenge by focusing on pragmatism over perfection. By engaging with its partners, the company achieved a 56 % operational. Carbon emissions reduction across its top 1000 suppliers.
Christophe Quiquempoix, Vice President, Sustainable Procurement at Schneider Electric, outlines how the organisation achieved this milestone and how it will scale these practices across its broader supply chain.
The Pareto dynamic of decarbonisation When tackling a supply chain consisting of 50,000 suppliers, the initial challenge is determining where to begin. Rather than attempting to apply a uniform standard to every vendor simultaneously, Schneider Electric leverages a clear data-driven reality.
“ Not all of our 50,000 suppliers contribute equally to our overall footprint,” Christophe explains.“ We see a clear Pareto dynamic, where roughly 90 % of our impact comes from about 10 % of our suppliers. That reality shapes how we scale.”
By focusing efforts on the top 1,000 suppliers, the procurement team maximises its effectiveness where it has the greatest leverage.
“ In times of volatility, including energy crises, those who have optimised consumption or transitioned to renewables are consistently more resilient. Sustainability is therefore not just the right thing to do, it is a clear driver of performance and long-term competitiveness”
Christophe Quiquempoix Vice President, Sustainable Procurement Schneider Electric
“ We start with prioritisation, focusing first on the suppliers that drive the most material impact,” says Christophe.“ This allows us to engage our most critical partners early and maximise the effectiveness of our efforts.“ It is also where we have the greatest leverage to drive meaningful and measurable change.”
20 August 2026