SUEZ poaches Renault communications head to lead sustainability

Water and waste management firm SUEZ has hired Stéphanie Cau as Chief Communication, Marketing, Sustainability and Public Affairs and member of its executive committee.

She will join on October 1 from Renault, where she has been Chief Communications Officer since July 2023. Prior to that, she spent almost 10 years at Bureau Veritas Group in a range of communications and corporate social responsibility positions.

At SUEZ, she will succeed Frederick Jeske-Schoenhoven, who has been EVP and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer since 2022 and is leaving the company “to pursue new professional opportunities”.

Under his leadership, the company increased the share of renewables in its electricity consumption in Europe to 31%, cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 11% and announced 24 new sustainability commitments around decarbonisation, nature preservation, human rights and employee wellbeing. 

SUEZ science-based climate targets

SUEZ has an SBTi-approved midterm targets of reducing absolute Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030 from a 2019 base year, as well as cutting absolute Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel and energy-related activities, upstream and downstream transportation and distribution by 14% within the same timeframe. 

The French group, which has 40,000 employees and operates in 40 countries, has committed to have 25% of its suppliers by emissions set science-based targets by 2026. 

However, the group had its commitment to set a long-term net zero target removed from the SBTi website, meaning that it failed to submit its target within a two-year timeframe.

Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, commented: “I am thrilled to welcome Stéphanie Cau as our new Chief Communication, Marketing, Sustainability and Public Affairs. Her prolific career experience in industry and services will be major assets, supporting us in our new phase of development. I would like to thank Frederick for his contribution and commitment during the first two years of the new SUEZ. I wish him every success in his future endeavours."