Steve Skarda

About Steve Skarda

As a sustainability executive and professional engineer working across industrial manufacturing and environmental stewardship, I am driven by a core mission: SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINE FOR PROFITABLE GROWTH. I have proven that what is good for the planet is also good for the bottom line.With 15+ years of experience in Sustainable Systems Engineering, I have architected and executed global ESG, climate, and water strategies that deliver tangible results. At P&G, I led the implementation of our first SBTi-validated climate goals, ELIMINATING 60% OF ABSOLUTE SCOPE 1 & 2 GHG EMISSIONS AND ACHIEVING 99% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GLOBALLY. We achieved this not through mandates, but through a portfolio of profitable investments in renewable energy, heat recovery, and cutting-edge decarbonization technologies.My approach is grounded in data and innovation. I led the development of a global data analytics platform that leveraged PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS AND AI to unlock a 15% improvement in energy costs across 120 manufacturing sites. Building on this success, I established a new 25-person Global Sustainability organization in Germany to accelerate our progress toward a Net Zero and Water Positive future, including the launch of a SCALABLE SCOPE 3 SUPPLIER TRAINING PLATFORM now being deployed globally.Beyond the boundaries of a single company, I am passionate about industry-wide coalition building. I was a FOUNDING CORPORATE MEMBER of the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), where I served as a founding signatory of the 2019 Renewable Thermal Buyers’ Statement. Earlier in my career, I collaborated with WWF, WRI, and a core group of 12 corporate peers to co-develop the \"Buyers Principles\"—the strategic foundation for the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance (CEBA / formerly REBA).From designing P&G\'s most sustainable manufacturing plant as an engineer to aligning C-level leadership around ambitious targets, my journey has been about building bridges—between engineering and strategy, between data and action, and between sustainability and financial performance.I am always eager to connect with fellow leaders and innovators to tackle the complex challenges of industrial decarbonization and build a more sustainable and profitable future. SPECIALTIES: Corporate ESG & Sustainability Strategy | Industrial Decarbonization | Net Zero & SBTi Goal Setting | Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | Water Stewardship | Predictive Analytics, AI | Cross-Functional Leadership | Coalition Building | Sustainability Reporting (CDP, ESG Frameworks)

Experience

1. Senior Director, Energy & Water Technical Innovation

   Procter & Gamble

   Jan 2022 — Present · Kronberg, DE

   Architect and lead the global technology innovation roadmap to deliver P&G\'s Net Zero GHG and Water Positive Future goals across the global Product Supply organization. Responsible for identifying and deploying cutting-edge solutions to decarbonize operations across a multi-billion dollar manufacturing footprint- KEY ACHIEVEMENTS - NET ZERO STRATEGY & HEAT MAPPING: Developed technology roadmaps to achieve absolute Net Zero GHG ambitions. Implemented SCALABLE GLOBAL HEAT MAPPING and value-added frameworks to identify high-impact decarbonization opportunities, ensuring projects met rigorous ROI hurdles to accelerate capital investment. CLIMATE RESULTS: Led the execution of SBTi-validated climate targets, delivering a 60% ABSOLUTE REDUCTION IN SCOPE 1 & 2 EMISSIONS and achieving 99% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY globally through profitable investments in bioenergy, heat recovery, and industrial heat pumps. SCOPE 3 & SUPPLIER ENABLEMENT: Leading the design and launch of a SCALABLE DECARBONIZATION TRAINING PLATFORM for global suppliers (including China and Mexico), directly addressing the \"Scope 3\" capability gap through a replicable industrial model. DIGITAL INNOVATION & PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS: Championed the deployment of a global energy and water analytics platform across 120+ manufacturing sites. Leveraged PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS to optimize performance and drive a 15% reduction in energy costs. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP: Established and lead a new 25-person Global Sustainability organization in Germany. Positioned this team as a center of excellence to drive execution on all corporate climate, water, and sustainable transportation goals while fostering a culture of technical innovation.

Education

• Marquette University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Electrical Engineering

  1996

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Master of Engineering - MEng, Sustainable Systems Engineering

  2015