Schneider Electric Launches Decarbonization Tool to Help Buildings Save Energy and Reduce Fines

Schneider Electric, a leader in energy and automation digital solutions, has introduced its new Building Decarbonization Calculator, a tool aimed at helping building owners and operators explore energy and carbon conservation measures (ECCMs) more effectively. With buildings accounting for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions—40% of energy consumption and 36% of energy-related emissions in the EU alone—this solution addresses growing regulatory pressures to reduce emissions.

The calculator is designed to assist building owners in meeting regulatory standards such as New York City’s Local Law 97, which will penalize buildings exceeding emissions limits starting in 2025, and upcoming decarbonization mandates in cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Austin. It also supports compliance with European Union regulations that require all new buildings to be net-zero on carbon emissions by 2030.

Built from data covering nearly 500,000 building performance models, the tool suggests best practices in construction, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. It enables building owners to comply with standards like the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CREEM) and helps maximize return on investment by guiding users through various retrofit options.

Mike Kazmierczak, Global VP of Digital Energy at Schneider Electric, emphasized the tool’s ability to aid in regulatory compliance and operational improvements, helping owners reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency while cutting operational costs. One case study of an office retrofit in Boston demonstrated the calculator’s efficacy, predicting $3.7 million in energy savings and $1 million in avoided fines over the next decade, with a seven-year return on investment.

The Building Decarbonization Calculator allows users to run preset scenarios for light interventions, medium retrofits, and deep renovations. It tailors solutions for various building types, including retail, hotels, hospitals, and office spaces. Developed in collaboration with JLL and C.scale, the tool integrates machine-learning models and real estate data analytics to help accelerate climate action.