Accelerating the Net Zero Journey: My five takeaways from IEFA

西门子 has stated it will have a net zero carbon footprint by 2030. And, with our technology, we want to support our customers on their decarbonization journeys as well. More than 90% of Siemens’ business enables our customers to achieve a positive sustainability impact.

Matthias Rebellius , Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Infrastructure , spoke with Goldy Hyder , CEO and President of the Business Council of Canada , at the International Economic Forum of the Americas in Montreal about how customers and countries can accelerate their net zero journey. Here are my five key takeaways from their fireside chat:

1. Industry will play a crucial role for reaching decarbonization targets

Many countries and companies, including those in Canada, have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Industry has a key role to play in reaching this goal as it is responsible for more than 30% of all global CO2 emissions. To successfully reach our targets, industry must look to renewable energy integration, electrification, and energy efficiency.

2. A holistic approach is needed to overcome the pain points

Industrial decarbonization is a complex challenge that must be tackled with a holistic approach. This requires more diverse funding sources, new risk management strategies, skills development, supply chain innovation and regulatory cooperation.

The good news is that the technology needed to help Canada reach its net zero targets is already available. Companies must accelerate their uptake of these technologies, and work with an eco-system of partners to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

3. Siemens way to decarbonization – we walk the talk!

Siemens has stated it will be net-zero within its own operations by 2030. To reach this goal, we are focusing on key levers including our buildings, production facilities and vehicle fleets.

This can be seen in our Peterborough, Ontario manufacturing facility where we installed Siemens‘ Enlighted LED light fixtures, a wireless network of connected sensors for those lights, and an advanced analytics platform to monitor environmental and occupancy changes so that immediate, real-time lighting adjustments can be made for occupant comfort and energy efficiency. This technology package generated energy savings of 500MWh, which amounts to about $70,000 per year.

As well, in working to electrify 100% of our fleet, Siemens Canada offers our personnel electric vehicles, or hybrids as a transition solution. Employees who drive Siemens vehicles are offered chargers and installation support to make the transition as seamless as possible. We’ve also started to expand our e-charging infrastructure across our offices.

4. Collaboration is key to ensure progress

To achieve our decarbonization targets, we must work with like-minded partners. Siemens Xcelerator, our open digital business platform, expands the partner ecosystem giving customers access to technology partners who work according to common design principles.

5. Long-term rewards over short-term gain

Siemens’ founder, Werner von Siemens, said it best: “We won’t sell out the future for short-term gains”. This is still a core value of our company, and it illustrates how we must approach the decarbonization journey. Not only will this help to mitigate climate change, but it is also good for business, profitability, and competitiveness.

Siemens is keenly aware of our customers’ pain points when it comes to decarbonizing industrial operations and buildings, and we have the broad technology portfolio and domain know-how to tackle these challenges.

Together with our partners and customers, we have already implemented numerous projects in Canada. These include helping the Bank of Montreal achieve 55% energy consumption reduction in their data center, as well as working with the Ville de Shediac | Town of Shediac to create a net zero community.