Siemens: Boardroom Climate Change Priorities are Changing

Geopolitical turbulence is reshaping global energy strategies, with national energy security now overtaking climate collaboration as the principal factor of the energy transition.

That is according to the Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025, a survey of 1,400 leaders across 19 countries. The report highlights an accelerating change towards resilient, sovereign and digitally-enabled energy systems.

What began as a global effort to decarbonise has evolved into a pursuit of energy autonomy. Resilience is now seen as an essential enabler of net zero progress, not a trade-off.

“The infrastructure transition is entering a new phase whereby national goals of energy security are overtaking global collaboration on decarbonisation,” says Matthias Rebellius, Managing Board Member of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure.

As systems face mounting disruptions, he notes resilience is no longer optional, adding: “AI, technology and digitalisation are now critical to this change.”

From global climate goals to national resilience

A structural change is under way in how countries approach their energy strategy, with a majority of leaders believing future systems will rely on local production over global trade.

Consequently, renewable integration, storage readiness and advanced grids are becoming critical for self-sufficiency. Over half of respondents report resilience and energy independence are maturing in their countries, placing sovereignty at the core of planning.

While this boosts national preparedness, it reflects declining confidence in global climate goals. The Siemens report warns that, unless resilience is embedded within climate strategies, progress could be jeopardised.

This is shown in wavering optimism. Many executives expect a rise in fossil fuel investment, while belief in achieving 2030 decarbonisation targets has dropped from 44% in 2023 to just 37% now.

Digitalisation and AI as core transformation tools

Digitalisation is the second most important factor for accelerating the clean energy transition, behind only energy storage. Two-thirds of respondents believe AI makes critical infrastructure more resilient and many are already using it for decarbonisation.

Energy resilience and digital capability are becoming inseparable. AI-enhanced grids offer the visibility and efficiency needed to manage fluctuating renewables and EV demand.

However, regulatory barriers and legacy market designs limit progress. The report suggests the future lies in flexibility markets, which are systems that allow real-time cross-border management of renewable energy flows.

“We’re not just building infrastructure anymore. We’re building flexibility markets. That’s the only way to respond fast enough, cost-effectively, across borders,” says Daniela Haldy-Sellmann, SVP & General Manager of Energy and Natural Resources Industries at SAP.

Smart buildings and industrial decarbonisation

Buildings are gaining strategic importance in the infrastructure transition. Using digital platforms and AI, they can anticipate demand, interact with the grid and optimise performance.

Progress is uneven. While on-site renewables and electrified heating are advancing, energy efficiency and material reuse have stalled due to high costs and limited finance.

Despite this, energy efficiency is a top investment priority, with models like Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) enabling progress without heavy capital commitments.

“AI will reveal entirely new ways to think about energy management. But it doesn’t replace the need to get the basics right, like choosing efficient equipment, passive design measures, smart buildings and strong appliance standards,” says Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions at the International Energy Agency.

Industrial organisations face the toughest decarbonisation challenges. While many have progressed in renewables and electrification, intensifying cost pressures mean more companies are prioritising short-term revenue.

Policy uncertainty remains a key barrier. Over half of industrial respondents say unclear energy policies delay clean technology investments. The report argues that stable regulation is essential to unlock long-term capital.

The message from the Siemens monitor is clear: resilience and decarbonisation must evolve together.