Schneider Electric Q&A: Women's Health & Climate Change

As climate change accelerates, it is increasingly recognised as a public health crisis, causing heat-related illnesses and extreme weather fatalities. Women remain disproportionately at risk.

Sustainability leaders around the world are working on ways to take action and prevent global warming.

Healthcare Digital speaks with Frédéric Godemel, EVP of Energy Management at Schneider Electric, about how the energy transition can protect global health and why this shift is vital for women.

Climate change is often framed as an environmental challenge, but increasingly it’s being discussed as a public health issue. Why are these two topics so closely linked? 

For every degree of global warming, our life expectancy will shrink by nearly six months, according to a recent study published in PLOS Climate. The same research notes that, between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually.

With such an intrinsic link between health and the environment, it becomes apparent that sustainable solutions don’t just tackle the concerns of our planet, but its people too.

Climate change is already worsening air pollution and increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, all of which have proven and growing health consequences. Rising temperatures increase the risk of heat stress, dehydration and cardiovascular strain, particularly among vulnerable populations. At the same time, air pollution linked to fossil fuel combustion contributes to respiratory illnesses, stroke and heart disease, while extreme weather events such as floods and wildfires can lead to injuries, displacement and disruptions to healthcare and access to clean water. 

These impacts can also be unevenly distributed. Women, particularly during pregnancy, can face heightened health risks from climate-related factors. Research has shown that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy is associated with higher risks of preterm birth and other complications affecting maternal and newborn health, while worsening air pollution can increase respiratory and cardiovascular risks.

The transition toward cleaner energy systems also presents an opportunity to build a more inclusive energy economy. The expansion of clean energy infrastructure and digital technologies is creating new opportunities across the energy sector, from engineering and digital innovation to project development and energy management. However, women remain under-represented in many technical and engineering roles, meaning that ensuring the energy transition is inclusive will be critical to unlocking the full potential of this growing sector.

By ensuring that women are included in the design, development and leadership of the energy transition, we can build solutions that are not only more innovative but also more equitable.

What role does resilient energy infrastructure play in protecting communities and public health during extreme weather events?

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, ensuring reliable access to energy becomes increasingly critical for protecting communities. 

When these disasters strike, reliable access to energy becomes critical. Hospitals, emergency services, water systems and communications infrastructure all depend on electricity to function.

For example, during major storms or wildfires, power outages can disrupt hospital operations, affect refrigeration for medicines and vaccines and interrupt water treatment systems. Ensuring energy systems are resilient is therefore essential to maintaining access to critical services during emergencies.

We offer technologies such as microgrids combined with battery energy storage systems which can help keep electricity flowing during outages by storing excess renewable energy and distributing power to buildings, factories and critical infrastructure even when the wider grid is under stress. 

Energy technology can also play an important role in improving healthcare environments themselves. At Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, Schneider Electric deployed its SpaceLogic KNX automation solution in the maternity ward, helping reduce electricity consumption by around 40% while giving patients greater control over lighting, temperature and comfort in their rooms. Solutions like these demonstrate how digital energy management systems can improve operational efficiency while also enhancing patient well-being.

While disaster response is crucial in these situations, there is also a significant opportunity to focus on anticipating and preparing for climate risks before they occur.

Climate adaptation is becoming a critical part of this conversation. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, organisations and communities need better tools to understand where risks exist, whether that is exposure to flooding, heat stress or grid disruptions, so they can strengthen and modernise existing infrastructure using digital technologies.  Integrating into energy systems allows organisations to model climate risks, monitor infrastructure in real time and make more informed decisions about how to strengthen resilience. Consultancy services, such as Schneider Electric’s Sustainability and Energy Advisory Services, can also help organisations integrate climate risk analysis into long-term strategy and identify adaptation measures that strengthen operational resilience. 

How can the energy transition also create opportunities for women and more inclusive economic growth?

The transition to a clean energy economy is not only an environmental necessity; it is also a major opportunity for economic development and social inclusion. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the global energy transition could support tens of millions of new jobs by 2030. 

However, women remain underrepresented in the energy workforce, particularly in technical and engineering roles, making up only around 32% of the renewable energy workforce globally highlighting the importance of ensuring the energy transition is inclusive and accessible to all. 

Access to reliable energy is also closely tied to economic opportunity. Electricity enables businesses to operate, supports digital connectivity, powers schools and healthcare facilities and allows communities to participate more fully in the modern economy. It also plays a critical role in education and skills development. Through our Youth Impact Through Learning program, we work with partners across more than 60 countries to equip young people with the technical and digital skills needed to support the energy transition and access future job opportunities. Since 2009, we have trained over one million people in energy management and equipped individuals with the capabilities needed to build resilient communities and support the global energy transition. 

Electrification and digitisation are not just technological shifts or tick box exercises; they possess the power to enhance the quality of life.

What message would you highlight about the role of climate action in protecting health and equality?

With International Women’s Day recently passing, it is a moment in time to remind us that climate action and gender equality must go hand in hand. Protecting health, strengthening resilience and expanding socioeconomic opportunities are all part of the same challenge.

Decarbonisation, the core of climate change mitigation, therefore also presents a solution to improve the world’s health.

Continuing to drive the electrification and digitisation of communities, will improve public health, efficiency, resilience, accessibility and sustainability.

This represents a transformative force that holds the key to a healthier and more sustainable future for both humanity and the planet.