Key actions Nuanced understanding of root causes As part of its ambitious goal to train one million youth in energy management in developing countries by 2025, Schneider Electric recognizes that women bear a significant burden in securing food, water and fuel, as highlighted by UN Women. Despite this critical role, regional and global trends show that women remain underrepresented in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector. This disparity is driven by deeply-rooted gender norms and stereotypes that limit their access to the essential skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship in this transformative field. To address this disparity, the Schneider Electric Foundation partnered with Plan International, an NGO, to identify the support and skills women need to tap into the renewable energy sector’s potential in the Sahel. Schneider’s expertise in renewable energy solutions and deep understanding of skills needed for the sector put them in an optimal position to promote women’s economic empowerment through green skills training and the creation of green business opportunities. The programme partners developed solutions specific for the context of the Sahel region to promote sustainable energy access, with a strong emphasis on empowering women throughout the process. To begin, Schneider Electric launched an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of energy access, dispel myths about solar energy and emphasize women’s crucial role in sustainable development. The initiative addressed the gender skills gap by training instructors at six centres to build local expertise, enabling them to pass on this 1 Meaningful definition of success Schenider’s goal was to enhance women’s role within the sustainable energy sector in Mali, Senegal and Niger, through targeted education, robust advocacy and dynamic entrepreneurship support. This initiative is part of a company- wide objective to train 1 million youths, especially girls, in energy management by 2025 in developing countries. To engage the whole organization in this ambitious mission, Schneider Electric articulated a clear case that emphasizes the connection between gender equality and climate action, showing how addressing gender imbalances through targeted training fosters innovation and builds a diverse, skilled workforce essential for a sustainable and equitable energy transition. 2 Accountable and invested business leaders Training youth to meet the workforce demands of the energy transition has become a business priority for the company, closely linked to its goals of increasing women’s representation in the energy sector and advancing the company’s efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, and 17. Schneider’s senior leadership champions this initiative, designating it as part of the company’s global KPIs, which are tied to variable compensation, making every employee and leader accountable for its success.3 Solution designed for context 4Schneider Electric established primary KPIs for the programme, focusing on the number of trainers, number of people trained (including the gender split of those trained) and the number of income-generating activities initiated by women supported by the programme. Data is collected quarterly and can be externally audited annually to ensure accountability and transparency. Recently, the company introduced a new methodology designed to measure the programme’s long- term transformative effects on participants. This approach combines qualitative and quantitative metrics, including focus groups and beneficiary interviews, to evaluate participant progress before, during and after their involvement in the programme. The aim is to begin applying this new approach for DESFERS for the after-participation phase. Rigorous tracking and course correction 5 Schneider Electric’s efforts in the future will continue to focus on education as it plays a pivotal role in supporting livelihoods and ensuring a just energy transition. The company firmly believes it is essential to prioritize training and skilling as a means of empowerment and capacity- building. Additionally, Schneider Electric underscores the importance of including women at every stage of the energy value chain, as their participation is key to fostering inclusivity and achieving a just energy transition.Advice for others and next area of focusknowledge to women in rural communities. The topics included in the trainings were: renewable energy systems, functional literacy, business skills and entrepreneurship. All materials are provided in the local languages. To boost green business creation, the initiative promotes financial inclusion and entrepreneurship by guiding women in submitting business plans to microfinance institutions, enabling them to develop income-generating activities and providing ongoing support for project development. To ensure sustained impact, Schneider Electric invested in long- term infrastructure by upgrading training centres, equipping them with solar technology and residential electrical systems for hands-on learning. Microgrids were installed to provide reliable power to villages, fostering energy independence and resilience, with women leading installations and serving as role models. 26 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Lighthouses 2025