APC 2015 Annual Report Download - page 95

2015 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 93
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, AN ECO-CITIZEN COMPANY
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5. Schneider Electric, an eco-citizen
company
Schneider Electric has always been committed to playing an active
role in the economic development of the communities in which it
has a presence. This is refl ected in the substantial involvement of
the Group and its employees in supporting communities, particularly
through its Access to Energy program, its Foundation and the
«Schneider Electric Teachers» NGO, and by its commitment to
helping people to enter the workforce.
5.1 Access to Energy program
Context and aims
In today’s world, 1.1billion(1) people do not have access to electricity;
634million of these live in Sub-Saharan Africa, 237million in India
and 120million in South-East Asia.
In general, these underprivileged people live on less than USD 2
perday.
Their families’ energy costs may run to more than USD 15 per month.
Improved access to energy not only improves quality of life, but
also facilitates access to healthcare, education and development
for those who need it most.
Through its Access to Energy program, Schneider Electric wants to
play a major role in helping underprivileged people to gain access
to electricity.
Schneider Electric is involved in three specifi c areas:
•investment: manage an investment fund for business
development in the electricity sector;
•offer: design and deliver electrical distribution solutions for
underprivileged people;
•training: help provide training for young adults looking to enter
the electricity sector. This philanthropic effort benefi ts from
the commitment of the Schneider Electric Foundation and its
employees’ contributions.
Created in 2008 and launched in 2009, the Access to Energy
program illustrates Schneider Electric’s desire to create a virtuous
circle combining business, innovation and responsibility.
Organization
Management
The program is managed by the Sustainable Development
Department. The program management team is now spread
equally between France and India:
•an Access to Energy solutions Business Development Director;
•an Offering Creation Director based in Bangalore (India);
•a Social Investment Director, who manages the Schneider
Electric Energy Access social welfare fund;
•a Training Programs Director;
•Access to Energy correspondents in key countries (India,
Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, etc.).
Rollout
To achieve its goals, t he Access to Energy program operates
through its local presence in the countries concerned by the energy
access problem . With a few rare exceptions, all projects initiated
benefi t from monitoring by employees of Schneider Electric entities
operating in the countries concerned. These employees constitute
a network of key contact people for the design, management and
monitoring of projects.
Their involvement may be part time or full time. They contribute their
knowledge of the local context (organization of civil society, local
authorities, the private sector, etc.) and guarantee that the project is
aligned with local needs. Their presence is of crucial 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.
(1) Source: SE4All - Global tracking framework 2015 report.