ABB’s mission to Zero™ Blueprint for a Net Zero future
ABB’s Mission to Zero™ is a global initiative designed to advance a sustainable future with zero emissions, zero accidents, and zero waste. It reflects ABB’s long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility while aligning with global sustainability goals.
“Mission to Zero™ reflects ABB’s commitment to sustainability, and our aim is to make a real impact by enabling both our own operations and our customers to lower emissions,” says Bradley James, Product Marketing Director, EDLS, South Africa.
By combining advanced energy management systems with electrification and renewable technologies, ABB has committed to reaching net zero by 2030 across its factories worldwide. At the same time, it is helping customers and suppliers achieve their own decarbonisation goals.
Driving Zero emissions
A central focus of Mission to Zero™ is reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the shift to sustainable energy. ABB develops technologies that improve efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions across industries.
Through tailored energy architectures, customers benefit from reduced CO2 emissions, lower energy loss, cost savings, and compliance with environmental product declarations (EPD) and certifications.
In South Africa, ABB supports decarbonisation through local manufacturing of Compact Secondary Substations (CSS) and the rollout of SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear, alongside global initiatives such as its Dalmine, Italy, factory. There, ABB has installed photovoltaics (PV) and smart energy management systems that now generate more than 20% of the factory’s summer energy needs and cut CO2 emissions by over 2,200 tons in just two years.
Promoting circularity
ABB is also committed to minimising waste by embracing circular economy principles — reducing material use, recycling, and reusing resources wherever possible. Life cycle assessments (LCA) and EPD certifications ensure products and processes conserve resources while maintaining transparency.
“South Africa continues to face loadshedding and power shortages, which drives us to innovate,” explains James. “At ABB, we are focused on generating, storing, and utilising energy more efficiently, reducing reliance on the grid while operating safely and sustainably.”
Empowering local businesses
James highlights the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM), a global ABB-led initiative that helps industries accelerate energy efficiency solutions. It serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, offering companies practical steps to reduce energy use.
“Local businesses can join the EEM, conduct energy audits, upgrade to energy-efficient equipment, and actively involve employees in energy-saving practices,” says James.
With South Africa’s energy challenges, ABB’s solutions — including microgrids, storage, and smart power management—help municipalities and businesses optimise energy use, integrate renewables, and strengthen energy security.
Four pillars of mission to Zero™
For a site to qualify as a Mission to Zero™ operation, it must integrate ABB and third-party solutions to advance:
Planning – strategic energy roadmaps.
Innovation – deploying advanced electrification and automation.
Monitoring – real-time energy insights.
Sustainability – embedding efficiency and renewables at scale.
These pillars align closely with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) objectives, which focus on decarbonisation, energy security, and inclusive socioeconomic growth. ABB contributes by decarbonising power systems, enabling clean-tech industries, and supporting grid resilience.
“ABB can play a pivotal role in supporting South Africa’s climate goals by accelerating renewable integration, promoting efficiency, and modernising the grid,” James says.
Digital technology is central to Mission to Zero™, providing intelligence and control to manage energy more sustainably. ABB’s Smart Substation Control and Protection (SSC600 SW) is the first virtualised protection and control solution for substations.
Unlike traditional systems, SSC600 SW is hardware-independent, allowing customers to optimise IT infrastructure and consolidate multiple systems onto one platform. This reduces equipment needs, streamlines maintenance, and enhances operational flexibility — further cutting costs and environmental impact.
“At ABB, we believe digitalisation is the key to unlocking a low-carbon future,” says James. “Our technologies give customers the visibility and tools to turn ambition into action.”
Electrifying a sustainable future
ABB Electrification, with over 50 000 employees in 100 countries, is a global leader in energy distribution and management. By combining global scale with local expertise, ABB delivers innovative technologies that improve efficiency and support a low-carbon society.
Learn more: go.abb/electrification
