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Schneider Electric Is Recognized for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through the DESFERS Program, Empowering Women in Renewable Energy.
In recent years, mining has transformed, driven by a growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leading companies in the sector are recognizing that inclusive practices are not only ethical but also strategic for achieving sustainable and innovative success. Since 2022, the expansion of diversity programs has shown significant results, with companies reporting improvements in working conditions and increased efficiency and innovation.
In 2024, the trend continued to grow, fueled by inspiring global initiatives. A survey conducted in 2023 by McKinsey highlights that companies investing in gender and ethnic diversity have 25% higher chances of achieving above-average financial margins. Furthermore, mining companies that embrace these values are becoming more attractive to new talent, especially among younger generations that value equity as a fundamental principle.
Inclusive Mining: Impacts on the Sector and Extractive Industry
Inclusion has reconfigured the dynamics of the extractive industry, fostering a more collaborative culture. Mining companies are adopting practices that ensure equal opportunities and adequate resources for underrepresented groups, increasing productivity and job satisfaction. This is evident in Rio Tinto’s actions since 2023, which launched a robust program to promote inclusion and equity in its global operations.
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The mining sector is in an exciting phase of transition toward a more sustainable and just future. By implementing diversity policies, companies are experiencing improvements in both the work environment and market perception. Anglo American began an active campaign in 2024 aimed at promoting equity, aligning its actions with societal demands for greater corporate social responsibility.
The practice of exploring inclusion and diversity as an integral part of mineral exploration resonates with the need to adapt to contemporary environmental and social demands. Initiatives like these not only shape the future of mining but act as catalysts for a complete transformation across the industry. With a growing number of companies adopting inclusive policies, the goal of redefining mining for a more equitable future seems more tangible than ever.
Annual mining conferences are placing the issue of equity at the center of discussions, establishing a new standard of responsibility within the sector. These discussions also highlight the challenges faced by companies, such as the need to adapt their operational models and governance to enable the effective implementation of these inclusive practices.
Conclusion: Path to an Inclusive Future for Mining
Amid so many transformations, mining continues to advance toward a more equitable future. The experiences reported by companies like BHP Billiton Freeport-McMoRan, which began their inclusion initiatives as early as 2021, show the positive results of such an approach. These organizations prove that adopting inclusive mindsets brings invaluable financial and social benefits. With increasing evidence of their positive impact, strategies for diverse equalities are essential for sustainable success.
The expectation is that by 2025, more companies in the extractive industry will continue on an innovative path of constant progress toward a fair and inclusive work environment, indicating that the mining sector is modernizing and leading a global revolution in sustainable business terms. PWC reports confirm this trend, pointing to a search for fair balance as a driving force for advancement in the sector.
Global Recognition in DEI
Schneider Electric, an international leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been honored by the World Economic Forum as a DEI Lighthouse, being globally acclaimed for its initiatives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This recognition is awarded annually to impactful projects in these areas, analyzing successful strategies and lessons learned from global leaders in both public and private sectors, aiming to develop more inclusive and resilient economies.
Women’s Empowerment in the Renewable Energy Sector
The French company received this honor for its project focused on the Economic and Social Development of Women in the Sahel through Renewable Energy (DESFERS), a collaboration with Plan International. This project aims to empower women in Senegal, Mali, and Niger, providing training focused on green skills, investing in the improvement of technical institutions and providing specific support for female entrepreneurship in the field of renewable energy. The DESFERS program, promoted by Schneider Electric and its foundation, was chosen as a beacon of Gender Parity in the Green Economy by global DEI experts. ‘We are honored to be recognized as a lighthouse for our efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion’, mentioned Charise Le, Chief Human Resources Officer of Schneider Electric.
Youth Impact Through Education
‘We believe that genuine impact is achieved with the inclusion of all, nurturing a culture that considers every stakeholder in our ecosystem, from collaborators to supply chain partners, customers, and local communities.’ In 2019, together with Plan International and a consortium of stakeholders, Schneider Electric launched DESFERS with the intention of economically empowering women in rural areas, where strict social norms often restrict female economic participation. Through a collaborative methodology, the program builds a solid ecosystem of support, promoting specialized partnerships and leveraging collective expertise.
Significant Results from the DESFERS Program
The initiative is part of the global Youth Education and Entrepreneurship program and commits to Youth Impact via Learning, aiming to train 1 million young people, especially women, to integrate into the energy transition and support 10,000 micro-entrepreneurs by 2025. Schneider Electric’s DESFERS program has generated a series of impactful results, including skills training for 7,204 women, the development of 6,099 women-led businesses in the green economy sector, and facilitating access to renewable energy solutions and credit for 21,000 women.
Commitment to a Just Energy Transition
By structuring the right ecosystem through training, mentoring, and providing financing, the consortium of partners seeks to empower these professionals to lead a just energy transition. ‘Promoting a just energy transition is a collective effort that requires everyone to work collaboratively to turn ambitions into effective actions’, highlighted Chris Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer of Schneider Electric. ‘Through our Youth Education and Entrepreneurship programs, along with the Schneider Electric Foundation, we are empowering women and promoting gender equity. By fostering specialized partnerships and ensuring the inclusion of these professionals at all stages of the energy value chain, we unleash the full potential for sustainable progress, enabling them to lead the energy transition with inclusion as a fundamental piece.’
Source: © Schneider Electric Press
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