APC 2014 Annual Report Download - page 93

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, AN ECO-CITIZEN COMPANY
Schneider Electric, an eco-citizen 5.
company
Schneider Electric has always been committed to playing an active particularly through its Access to Energy program, its Foundation
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role in the economic development of the communities in which it and the «Schneider Electric Teachers» NGO, and by its
has a presence. This is reflected in the substantial involvement of commitment to helping people to enter the workforce.
the Group and its employees in supporting communities,
Access to Energy program 5.1
Context and aims Organization
In today’s world, 1.3billion(1) people, approximately 300million
Management
households, do not have access to electricity; 590million of these
live in Sub-Saharan Africa, 293million in India, 88million in The program is managed by the Sustainable Development
Bangladesh, 63million in Indonesia and 56million in Pakistan. Department. The program management team is now spread
equally between France and India:
In general, these disadvantaged people live on less than 2 US
dollars perday. an Access to Energy solutions Business Development Director;
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Their families’ energy costs may run to more than USD 15 per an Offering Creation Director based in Bangalore (India);
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month. Improved access to energy not only improves quality of life, a Social Investment Director, who manages the Schneider
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but also facilitates access to healthcare, education and Electric Energy Access social welfare fund;
development for those who need it most. a Training Programs Director;
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Through its Access to Energy program, Schneider Electric wants Access to Energy correspondents in key countries (India,
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to play a major role in helping underprivileged people to gain Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, etc.).
access to electricity.
Rollout
Schneider Electric is involved in three specific areas:
Investment: manage an investment fund for business
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The Access to Energy program operates through its local presence
development in the electricity sector; in the countries concerned by the energy access problem to
achieve its goals. With a few rare exceptions, all projects initiated
Offer: design and deliver electrical distribution solutions for
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benefit from monitoring by employees of Schneider Electric entities
disadvantaged people; operating in the countries concerned. These employees constitute
Training: help provide training for young adults looking to enter
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a network of key contact people for the design, management and
the electricity sector. This philanthropic effort benefits from the monitoring of projects.
commitment of the Schneider Electric Foundation and its
employees’ contributions. Their involvement may be part time or full time. They contribute
their knowledge of the local context (organization of civil society,
Created in2008 and launched in2009, the Access to Energy local authorities, the private sector, etc.) and guarantee that the
program illustrates Schneider Electric’s desire to create a virtuous project is aligned with local needs. Their presence is of crucial
circle combining business, innovation and social responsibility. importance for the long-term oversight of projects in which
Schneider Electric is involved. The main areas targeted by the
program are India, Bangladesh, China, South Asia, Sub-Saharan
Africa and South America.
Source: International Energy Agency – World Energy Outlook 2013.(1)
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