The Future Is Green: Dr Philippine de T’Serclaes of Dassault Systèmes On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet
An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
Transition away from fossil fuel: By transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. This shift not only helps preserve our environment and natural resources but also promotes energy independence and creates sustainable economic opportunities.
As we face an unprecedented environmental crisis, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. This series seeks to spotlight the innovative minds and passionate advocates who are leading the charge in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. We aim to explore the most effective strategies, breakthrough technologies, and transformative policies that are shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Philippine de T’Serclaes.
Philippine is the Chief Sustainability Officer of Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE® Company providing businesses and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. She leads the company’s sustainability engagement strategy towards carbon neutrality by 2040.
Dr. Philippine de T’Serclaes has over 20 years of international experience, having worked in strategic, executive and senior advisory roles related to business transformation, financing the energy transition, blockchain, energy efficiency, the new energy world and innovation.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
Before joining Dassault Systèmes, I spent nearly a decade at Schneider Electric, most recently as Senior Executive, Global Vice President — Strategic Partnerships. During this time, I initiated and ran solutions and platforms for strategic customers as well as digital, institutional, financial, and academic partners at a global level. My focus has always been on sustainability, climate change, and business transformation.
Before that, I worked in finance at Rothschild, J.P. Morgan, and the OECD/International Energy Agency, where I was Senior Finance Advisor — Energy Efficiency and Environment Division and founded the Energy Efficiency Finance Action Network, a platform for increased public-private partnerships in energy efficiency and clean technology financing.
I’m an economist by training, with a Ph.D. in economics from the Sorbonne University. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from McGill University in Montreal and a Master of Science in law and finance from the London School of Economics.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
Reflecting on my early days at the International Energy Agency (IEA), I’ve come to appreciate a crucial lesson: the marriage of factual observation with boldness and imagination. It was a time where I learned the importance of daring to lay out ambitious projects and goals, while also embracing innovative thinking. Driven by this passion, I was invited at the age of 27 to contribute to Al Gore’s Solutions Summit in 2007. There, I shared policy insights and quantitative findings from my book “Mind the Gap,” which was published in 2006.
At the IEA, our collective dedication was evident as we tirelessly endeavored to bridge the realms of academia, public policy, and the private sector. Our aim was clear: to foster collaboration within the Sustainability Ecosystem and propel it forward, hastening the pace of transformation. It was a period defined by hard work, camaraderie, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.
Since that moment, I’ve come to understand the power of genuine collaboration among diverse individuals and profiles. It became evident to me that when people with varied backgrounds and perspectives come together, true innovation can emerge, and tangible impact can be achieved.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
As a leader, Courage, Creativity, and Curiosity have been pivotal to my success. These traits have guided me through diverse challenges and opportunities.
Courage has been essential in navigating complex sectors like energy and finance, enabling me to set ambitious goals and take calculated risks.
Creativity has fostered collaboration and driven transformative change, allowing me to think outside the box and tailor solutions to diverse needs.
Curiosity has fueled continuous learning and innovation, leading me to explore new ideas and approaches. It has also emphasized the importance of research-testing loops in addressing challenges effectively.
In summary, these traits have empowered me to set high ambitions, collaborate effectively, and drive innovation, reinforcing the urgency of addressing critical issues like climate change. Nothing can happen without collaboration. It is through collective efforts that we can truly make a meaningful impact and tackle the challenges we face.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
It would be hard to choose just one. Dassault Systèmes has exciting sustainability projects embedded throughout our business to enable our customers from all industries to achieve radically new products, materials, and processes needed to create a more sustainable economy.
I think a good example of our organization’s engagement in impactful projects is EECONE: The European funded ECOsystem for greeN Electronics, which aims to reduce e-waste on a European scale. Less than 45% of the e-waste in the EU collected is recycled properly. To this end, 49 entities (including Dassault Systèmes) from 16 countries covering many different sectors, have joined forces to propose effective ways of reducing e-waste in the EU — covering the entire value chain. This project is a unique opportunity to leverage virtual twins, and engage with this diverse ecosystem to help us better advise our customers; and support them in their own navigation of this complex problem. Although this is an EU-based initiative, there is no reason alignment to similar initiatives in other countries would not be as impactful.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability, and how has that shaped your approach to environmental challenges?
My journey in the finance sector commenced in emerging markets with Rothschild & Cie, where I delved into projects primarily centered around energy, minerals, and commodities. It was within these realms that I first grasped the profound implications of climate change on these nations and their respective markets.
Transitioning into my role at the IEA, my understanding deepened further. The exposure to intricate dynamics of public policies and private market constraints reinforced my passion for these critical issues and my contribution as a reviewer of the 4th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.
These experiences underscored the importance of anchoring decisions in science-based evidence and factual insights. They reaffirmed my commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change while fueling my determination to be part of the solution and positioned me at the center where maximum impact could be driven. This is precisely why I made the decision to join Dassault Systèmes, a company whose solutions have the potential to reach all sectors of the economy through our extensive base of over 350,000 customers.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project or initiative you’ve been involved in that significantly contributed to sustainability?
At Dassault Systèmes we are committed to environmentally sustainable operations with human development at the core. One groundbreaking initiative I love working on is our company’s pledge to reduce Scopes 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2027 and achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2040. This initiative represents a significant departure from traditional business practices, demonstrating our proactive approach to addressing climate change. Our commitment to sustainability has earned us consistent recognition in ESG ratings, awards and rankings where we are outperforming many companies in the software sector. Of particular note is our rating from MSCI where Dassault Systèmes maintains the maximum “AAA” grade.
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation in your sustainability strategies?
Finding a balance between environmental impact, performance, business costs, and quality is a difficult endeavor, especially when also considering the rapid pace of innovation many industries face.
To effectively balance economic growth with environmental preservation in our sustainability strategies, I believe we must embrace innovative approaches that prioritize proactive action over reactive mitigation. Merely reducing externalities like greenhouse gases isn’t enough.
Therefore, at Dassault Systèmes, we are working to achieve this balance through our two-fold strategy addressing both our footprint and handprint. I have already mentioned some of our internal initiatives focused on our own footprint, so perhaps I could spend a minute discussing our handprint activities.
In short, we set out to design solutions that enable our customers to reduce their own environmental footprint by delivering greener products at scale, at speed, while maintaining the highest quality standards.
This is why we focus on delivering solutions and services that enable our clients to redesign products and processes and to eliminate negative impacts from the outset. This entails shifting from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ model to a circular economy mindset, where products are designed for reuse, repurposing, and longevity. By emphasizing waste avoidance, pollution prevention, and resource optimization, we can create value while minimizing environmental harm. This proactive stance not only aligns with climate targets but also fosters long-term economic resilience and sustainability.
What emerging technologies or innovations do you believe hold the most promise for advancing sustainability and why?
To address climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution, industries must adopt business models aligned with the principles of the circular economy: eliminating waste and pollution, prolonging product lifespan, and regenerating natural systems.
At Dassault Systèmes we strongly believe that virtual universes will be a key enabler to meet sustainability challenges. Virtual twins enable proactive design for recyclability, exploration of innovative materials, and enhanced supply chain visibility, empowering companies to embrace circularity across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Virtual twin technology presents a potent yet underutilized tool for advancing sustainability and the circular economy. In a recent whitepaper by Accenture and Dassault Systèmes, the impact of virtual twin technology was quantified in five key industries and found that “virtual twins can deliver $1.3 trillion of economic value and 7.5 Gt CO2e emissions reductions between now and 2030 across these five use cases alone.”
But adoption has been slow due to several key barriers — among them the difficulty in understanding all use cases & potential benefits, as well as how best to measure the ROI for those making investments. This is an area where we (Dassault Systèmes) are increasing our focus to help our clients realize these potential benefits and speed their transformations.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”?
1. Utilize innovative technologies: The convergence of virtual twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), software, big data, and analytics, alongside the rise of renewables, is reshaping the energy landscape. Strategic investments in these technologies are driving the emergence of a new energy paradigm, where digital services offer enhanced savings and efficiencies.
2. Transition away from fossil fuel: By transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. This shift not only helps preserve our environment and natural resources but also promotes energy independence and creates sustainable economic opportunities.
3. Prioritize skills development: The green economy is expanding, but there’s a shortage of people with the necessary green skills. Many initiatives are tackling this gap. For instance, our platform 3DEXPERIENCE Edu helps individuals acquire skills for a sustainable future. It provides tools for design and engineering learning to students, academic institutions, and training organizations, as well as supports businesses with industry-focused training.
4. Level the playing field: In the commercial realm, addressing past systemic disparities in subsidy distribution and investments is essential to creating a fair playing field. This approach will empower innovators and enable the advancement of solutions that drive progress. The new coalition formed at COP 28 to tackle fossil fuel subsidy reform, led by the Netherlands, targets both direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies and is a positive indication of the shift away from coal as an energy source.
5. Decarbonize heavy-emitting sectors: Decarbonizing heavy-emitting sectors is paramount for achieving a cleaner planet. These sectors, such as transportation, industry, and agriculture, account for a significant portion of global emissions. Implementing strategies like investing in cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources are crucial steps toward reducing emissions from these sectors. One noteworthy example is Bloomberg Philanthropies officially recently launching the Industrial Transition Accelerator. This initiative aims to decarbonize heavy-emitting sectors, including transport and energy, by uniting policy, finance, and technical expertise to scale projects and reduce emissions.
In your view, what are the key steps individuals, communities, and governments need to take to achieve a more sustainable future?
To achieve a more sustainable future, individuals, communities, and governments must embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and take swift, deliberate actions. While the pace of change may sometimes feel frustrating, it also offers an opportunity for thoughtful progress. We must address concerns about political engagement and commit wholeheartedly to the task at hand, ensuring that our actions align with our aspirations for a healthier planet. Rather than dismissing outcomes like those of COP28 as insufficient, let’s seize the opportunity for more meaningful and impactful action.
While embracing bold action and shifting to circular practices, we do need to be cognizant of the fact that different sectors present different opportunities and challenges, at different scales and time horizons. For example, for the Infrastructure and Cities sector, we need to consider the unique dynamics and interactions with citizen and government stakeholders (states, legislators). For the Life Science & Healthcare Sector, we need to consider the unique economic systems patients are faced with as well as the regulatory actors. Our ability to embed science, knowledge and know-how makes us very confident in our strategies to meet the challenges ahead through Virtual Twin Experiences improving our ability to model complex systems of systems (socio-economics, living systems, etc.).
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
To achieve global climate targets, a transition to a circular economy is imperative. Both established companies and startups can utilize virtual twin technologies to make this shift. A move towards circularity requires a reevaluation of business practices on a broad scale. Choices such as material selection, manufacturing processes, recyclability, and resource and energy usage can all be modeled using appropriate tools, prioritizing the planet and our environmental footprint.
In contrast to the “take-make-waste” linear model, the circular economy model is restorative and regenerative. It is based on three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. To tackle the global challenges of climate change, finite resources, and pollution, manufacturing industries must reassess the current linear system of production and consumption and focus on business models where resources are kept in use and waste is minimized, and this is why we have a focus on improving product lifecycles.
Our vision is to create a framework where circular economy practices can grow and thrive through adoption of ecofriendly practices, designing for recyclability, and exploring new materials. We believe the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform can provide organizations with the solutions they need to establish the holistic view of production chains necessary for transitioning to these circular economy practices.
With growing environmental concerns and sustainability requirements, progress towards net-zero is underway — but more can be done, faster. To accelerate sustainable innovation, companies can start by implementing eco-design principles. A product or service’s design determines 80% of its environmental impact throughout the lifecycle. When companies integrate eco-design into their product and service development, they can weave sustainability into the entire value network and drive a circular economy. Despite 56% of executives knowing this, many struggle to take action, as revealed by a Financial Times (FT) Focus report.
In 2023 our Global Sustainability team has launched a focused program called ‘Circularity in Action’ positioning Dassault Systèmes as a leader who makes it possible to not only to talk about Circular Economy but to actually deliver on it, thanks to our transformative solutions. This program focuses on highlighting our potential impact across the value chain from the material level to the subsequent products and eventually across the enterprise value network.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
Readers can follow me on my LinkedIn or check out Dassault Systèmes’ LinkedIn to keep up-to-date on all of our innovations.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
The Future Is Green: Dr Philippine de T’Serclaes of Dassault Systèmes On Their Top Strategies for a… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.