Farrukh Shad on how SE Advisory Services guides clients towards sustainability excellence

Hot on the heels of the launch of SE Advisory Services worldwide and in the Middle East, Farrukh Shad – Head of Sustainability for Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric – discusses how Schneider Electric’s consulting business helps its clients in the region achieve sustainability excellence.

How important is sustainability for SE Advisory Services?

Our focus on sustainability in SE Advisory Services is deeply rooted in our corporate purpose: to bridge progress and sustainability for all. We believe that confronting today’s unprecedented global challenges – especially climate change – is not only an environmental imperative, but a business necessity.

Energy production and consumption account for approximately 80% of global carbon emissions, creating an urgent need to cut emissions in half by 2030 to secure a liveable future. At the same time, global megatrends such as rapid decarbonisation, digitalisation, and electrification are reshaping markets and requiring a fundamental rethink of the energy system to make it smarter, more resilient, and more efficient.

The mission of Schneider Electric is driven by a commitment to being an “Energy Technology Partner” that leverages innovation to help customers, communities, and the planet thrive by bridging the gap between progress and sustainability.

At SE Advisory Services, we are inspired by the clear need to help businesses move beyond aspiration and turn sustainability from a compliance requirement into a tangible opportunity. We believe the shift to an all-electric, all-digital world is the fastest path to decarbonisation. Our role is to empower organisations with the right technology and strategy to make that transition seamlessly, efficiently, and profitably.

What are sustainability-related achievements SE Advisory Services is most proud of?

We are most proud of the measurable, real-world impact we deliver to our clients globally and, critically, here in the UAE.

Since 2018, Schneider Electric has enabled customers worldwide to save and avoid 679 million tonnes of CO2 emissions through our services and software. These outcomes demonstrate how digital innovation and data-driven decision-making can translate sustainability ambition into measurable results.

From the perspective of SE Advisory Services, we are particularly proud of our partnerships with several leading UAE-based companies, which are using our consulting services to unify energy, carbon, and ESG data into a single source of truth. These collaborations are directly driving measurable reductions in energy consumption and emissions, positioning our partners as regional sustainability leaders while supporting the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy.

In addition, during COP28 in Dubai, our team played an active role in advancing dialogue and announcing progress across supply chain decarbonisation, the semiconductor industry through the flagship Catalyze program, and new renewable energy initiatives.

What is the biggest challenge SE Advisory Services encounters in its practice?

One of the biggest challenges we encounter in the corporate sustainability landscape is the “ambition-to-impact gap.” While many organisations set ambitious net-zero targets, they often struggle to create a clear, financially viable roadmap for implementation.

Our research shows that around 90% of Fortune 500 companies are not on track to meet their sustainability goals, highlighting the scale and complexity of this challenge. To address it, we act as an end-to-end sustainability advisor, integrating strategic planning with digital execution.

We do not just help clients define goals; we operationalise them. This includes leveraging digital platforms such as Resource Advisor to manage complex data and introducing innovative financial models like Energy as a Service (EaaS). These approaches help overcome traditional capital expenditure constraints and accelerate the deployment of critical decarbonisation projects, bridging the gap between strategy and execution.

Achieving sustainability excellence is a key goal for many leaders in the region. What is that one advice you would like to give them?

My main advice today is simple: move from ambition to action. Be proactive and act swiftly in ways that inspire commitment, not just compliance.

For example, UAE’s Climate Law requires all entities to measure, report, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by May 2026, transforming the Net Zero 2050 ambition into a binding operational requirement. To lead in this journey, organisations should first embrace digital innovation. The complexity of decarbonisation demands robust digital tools and AI-driven insights – because you cannot manage what you cannot measure.

Second, cultivate commitment at every level. Sustainability requires leadership support and collaboration across the entire organisation, from the boardroom to the factory floor.

Finally, be bold and adaptive. Set clear, measurable goals, but remain open to new technologies, financing models, and partnerships that can accelerate progress. Sustainability leadership is built one milestone at a time.