Driving Sustainability Through Data: Q&A with Keane Gleeson of Schneider Electric

1. As a Senior Advanced Visualization Analyst, how do you contribute to Schneider Electric's sustainability goals and reporting processes?
   
   One of Schneider Electric’s primary sustainability goals is to be on the path to achieve 800 million tons of CO2 emissions savings for our customers (since 2018). I work on applications that help our customers understand the scope and scale of emissions reductions needed to achieve their own sustainability targets. Some of our customers are also our suppliers; therefore, my work also helps to drive the path toward a future goal of 50% reduction of CO2 emissions from top 1,000 suppliers’ operations.
   
   

2. How has your background in Environmental Science, particularly your focus on Energy and Climate Change Science, influenced your approach to sustainability analytics at Schneider Electric?
   
   During my studies towards my environmental science master’s degree, I came across a paper framing the strategies that can be used to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. I have created, using Qlik and other parts of our technology stack, a digital version of the wedges game from this paper.
   
   

   
   

3. Can you describe a project where your visualizations directly impacted Schneider Electric's sustainability strategy or decision-making process?
   
   I built a dashboard that displays progress towards Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Impact program. This program included six commitments:
   
   

   • Act for a climate-positive world

   • Be efficient with resources

   • Live up to its principles of trust

   • Create equal opportunities

   • Harness the power of all generations

   • Empower local communities.
   
   These commitments included a series of goals which can be quantitatively measured. These KPIs were measured on a quarterly basis and displayed in the app:
   
   
   
   

4. How do you navigate the complexities of collecting and integrating ESG data from various sources, both internal and external to Schneider Electric, and what strategies do you employ to ensure data comparability and reliability?
   
   Resource Advisor does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to handling the comparability aspect of ESG data. It enables users to create a library of all of their ESG indicators. There is the ability to know who altered the data and when using the audit trail feature. This serves as a single source of truth for an organization’s progress towards reaching their ESG goals.
   
   

5. How do you see the role of data visualization evolving in the context of increasing ESG reporting requirements and stakeholder expectations?
   
   Data visualization will be key as ESG reporting becomes required by law in some places and a driver of competitive advantage when it comes to commercial success. Data visualization enables people to understand the facts around a variety of ESG indicators. It will be used to track progress and help us understand which topics need more attention.
   
   

6. What AI tools or techniques are you currently using in your role to enhance sustainability reporting and analysis?
   
   AI tools such as copilot allow me, as a developer, to write code much faster. Writing out ideas with a chatbot like copilot is also helpful with copilot serving as a souped-up rubber duck.
   
   

7. In your opinion, how can AI transform ESG reporting and compliance across industries in the coming years?
   
   AI has powerful capabilities to extrapolate on historical data. It could be a very useful in fraud detection or in auditing reported data. How effective AI will be in aiding ESG reporting and compliance will only be as good as the data that serves as input. This is why it is crucial for organizations to use tools like Schneider Electric’s Resource Advisor to track their ESG data carefully.
   
   

8. What do you believe are the most pressing ESG needs in society today, and how can companies like Schneider Electric address them?
   
   Climate change is the biggest existential threat to society. We must prioritize the decarbonization of our global economy. largest polluters must be held accountable with a magnifying lens on their impact on the environment. The transition to a decarbonized economy must also be equitable, with less developed economies having a front seat on this ride to a brighter future. Schneider Electric acts as a role model for other companies in addressing ESG needs. The company has been named by Time Magazine and Statista as the world’s most sustainable company for its technological expertise and the initiatives included in the Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program.
   

For practical advice on how AI can turn ESG reporting from a compliance challenge to a strategic business imperative, check out Episode 5 of our Visionary Voices in AI Series – ESG, AI and Mandatory Reporting.