The Impact of Dassault Systèmes’ Virtual Twin Technology

Virtual twin technology linked to carbon reduction and net-zero goals

Dassault Systèmes has made virtual twin technology the centre of its sustainability offer. The company says the technology helps customers cut emissions and waste while supporting its own net-zero target by 2040. For UK manufacturers and infrastructure firms, the argument is straightforward. Virtual twins allow you to simulate, test, and improve products and processes digitally before building anything physical. That reduces material use, development waste, and carbon output.

Virtual twins create real-time computer models of products, processes, or entire systems. In theory, this allows businesses to design and test alternatives faster and with less environmental cost. Dassault Systèmes says its 3DEXPERIENCE platform underpins this approach. The company positions the platform as a tool to imagine, develop, and deliver sustainable innovations across sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, life sciences, and city planning.

In July 2021, the Science Based Targets initiative approved Dassault Systèmes’ greenhouse gas reduction targets. Those targets align with the Paris Agreement and follow SBTi guidance. The company also committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. Bernard Charlès, vice chairman and CEO, said Dassault Systèmes was implementing its own roadmap to meet those targets while helping customers reduce their environmental footprint.

The company’s 2025 Impact Report says virtual twins, combined with AI and real-world data, help organisations imagine, test, and improve more sustainable products, operations, and business models. The messaging is practical rather than speculative. Virtual twins are presented as a way to get things right the first time, avoiding costly and carbon-heavy trial-and-error in the physical world.

Research with Accenture projects significant emissions reductions by 2030

A substantial part of Dassault Systèmes’ sustainability case comes from research conducted with Accenture. That work suggests scaling just five virtual twin use cases could reduce global emissions by 7.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. The same research projects $1.3 trillion in economic value unlocked by the technology.

The study also claims virtual twin technology was already used in developing 85% of the world’s electric vehicles. In addition, it says the technology contributed to the production of more than 75% of global wind power. Those figures suggest virtual twins are already embedded in sectors critical to the energy transition. However, the research originates from internal or partner-led studies. Consequently, the numbers are best understood as potential rather than guaranteed outcomes.

Dassault Systèmes’ sustainability pages say virtual twins can model electricity grids, bio-materials, circular business models, and city-scale infrastructure. The company describes the technology as a lever for sustainability across multiple industries. Nevertheless, the largest projections remain forward-looking. Therefore, businesses should treat them as indicative rather than certain.

Despite the uncertainty around future impact, the consistency of the company’s claims is notable. The same arguments appear in press releases, impact reporting, and sustainability communications. This suggests virtual twins are now central to both Dassault Systèmes’ commercial strategy and its climate positioning.

Virtual twins offer manufacturers a route to leaner development cycles

For UK manufacturers, virtual twin technology offers a practical way to reduce waste in product development. Traditionally, developing a new product involves multiple physical prototypes. Each prototype requires materials, energy, and disposal. Virtual twins shift much of that testing into the digital realm. As a result, manufacturers can identify design flaws, test performance, and refine specifications without building physical versions.

This approach has clear cost and carbon benefits. Fewer prototypes mean less material waste and lower emissions from production and transport. For companies facing pressure to meet carbon reduction targets or comply with public sector net-zero requirements, virtual twins provide a tangible route to leaner development cycles. Moreover, the technology can help manufacturers respond to customer or procurement demands for lower-carbon products.

In addition, virtual twins can improve operational efficiency. By simulating production processes, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks, reduce energy use, and improve resource efficiency. For example, a virtual twin of a factory line can model the impact of equipment changes or process adjustments before implementation. This reduces downtime and avoids expensive mistakes.

Infrastructure firms can also benefit. Virtual twins allow planners to model electricity grids, water systems, or transport networks before construction. This helps identify the most resource-efficient designs and reduces the environmental impact of large-scale projects. For businesses bidding on public contracts, demonstrating the use of such technology may strengthen tender responses, particularly where sustainability criteria are weighted heavily.

Carbon reporting and net-zero alignment add commercial urgency

The commercial case for virtual twins is strengthened by the regulatory environment. UK businesses face increasing pressure to report emissions and demonstrate progress toward net-zero targets. From April 2022, many large companies have been required to report climate-related risks under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework. Similarly, Procurement Policy Note 06/21 requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above £5 million to publish a carbon reduction plan.

Virtual twins can support both reporting and reduction. By modelling products and processes digitally, businesses can estimate emissions more accurately and identify reduction opportunities earlier. For manufacturers, this means fewer emissions embedded in product development. For infrastructure firms, it means lower emissions from construction and operation. In both cases, the technology provides data that can feed into carbon reporting and reduction plans.

Furthermore, virtual twins can help businesses meet customer expectations. Many large buyers now require suppliers to demonstrate credible climate action. For SMEs in the supply chain, that means providing evidence of carbon reduction and aligning with customer net-zero goals. Virtual twin technology offers a way to reduce emissions while maintaining competitiveness. However, the technology is not a substitute for broader carbon management. Businesses still need to measure emissions, set targets, and implement reduction plans across their operations.

The challenge for smaller businesses is cost. Virtual twin platforms require investment in software, data infrastructure, and skills. For many SMEs, that investment may be difficult to justify without clear short-term returns. Consequently, the technology is likely to remain concentrated in larger firms or sectors where the business case is strongest, such as automotive, aerospace, and energy.

Software vendors now position simulation tools as decarbonisation instruments

Dassault Systèmes is not alone in linking digital simulation to climate action. Other industrial software vendors are making similar claims. Siemens, PTC, and Ansys have all positioned digital twin and simulation tools as instruments for decarbonisation, circularity, and resource reduction. This reflects a broader shift in how technology companies market their products.

Previously, simulation tools were sold primarily on efficiency and cost savings. Now, sustainability is a central part of the pitch. For businesses, this means digital transformation and climate action are increasingly presented as overlapping goals. In some cases, that alignment is genuine. In others, it may be more about marketing than measurable impact.

For UK businesses evaluating these tools, the key is to focus on specific, measurable outcomes. Virtual twins should reduce material use, cut emissions, or improve resource efficiency in ways that can be tracked and reported. If the technology delivers those outcomes, it can support both commercial and environmental goals. If it does not, the investment is harder to justify.

It is also worth noting that virtual twins do not eliminate emissions. They shift some activities from the physical to the digital, but digital infrastructure has its own carbon footprint. Data centres, cloud computing, and AI require energy. Therefore, businesses should consider the net impact of adopting virtual twin technology, not just the reductions in physical production.

Key details from Dassault Systèmes’ sustainability commitments

• The Science Based Targets initiative approved Dassault Systèmes’ greenhouse gas reduction targets in July 2021, aligned with the Paris Agreement.
• The company committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
• Research with Accenture projects that scaling five virtual twin use cases could reduce global emissions by 7.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
• The same research estimates virtual twin technology could unlock $1.3 trillion in economic value.
• Virtual twin technology was used in developing 85% of the world’s electric vehicles and producing more than 75% of global wind power, according to company materials.
• Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is positioned as the foundation for virtual twin applications across industries.
• The company says virtual twins can model electricity grids, bio-materials, circular business models, and city-scale infrastructure.

Practical steps for businesses considering virtual twin technology

Businesses interested in virtual twin technology should start by identifying specific use cases. Where could digital simulation reduce material waste, lower emissions, or improve efficiency? Common applications include product development, production planning, and infrastructure design. The technology is most valuable where physical prototyping is expensive, time-consuming, or carbon-intensive.

Next, consider the data requirements. Virtual twins rely on accurate, real-time data to function effectively. Businesses need to assess whether they have the data infrastructure to support the technology. In many cases, this will require investment in sensors, monitoring systems, and data management platforms. Without reliable data, virtual twins cannot deliver meaningful results.

Training is another consideration. Virtual twin platforms require technical skills to operate and interpret. Businesses should evaluate whether they have the internal capacity to use the technology effectively. If not, training or external support may be necessary. The SBS Academy offers training on digital tools and sustainability practices, which can help businesses build the skills needed to adopt new technologies.

Businesses should also consider how virtual twin technology fits into broader carbon reduction plans. The technology is a tool, not a strategy. It works best when integrated with other measures such as energy efficiency, renewable energy procurement, and supply chain engagement. For businesses working toward net-zero, virtual twins can support reporting and reduction efforts, but they should not be the only focus.

Finally, businesses should evaluate the return on investment. Virtual twin platforms can be expensive, particularly for SMEs. The business case depends on factors such as the scale of operations, the cost of physical prototyping, and the regulatory environment. For businesses bidding on public sector contracts or facing strict carbon reduction targets, the investment may be justified. For others, simpler tools may deliver better value.

Why this matters for UK businesses pursuing net-zero targets

Virtual twin technology represents one route to reducing emissions in product development and operations. For UK manufacturers and infrastructure firms, the technology offers practical benefits: fewer prototypes, less waste, and lower carbon output. However, the business case depends on context. Virtual twins require investment in software, data, and skills. For larger firms or those in carbon-intensive sectors, that investment may be worthwhile. For smaller businesses, the cost may outweigh the benefits.

The regulatory environment adds urgency. UK businesses face growing pressure to report emissions, demonstrate carbon reduction, and align with customer net-zero goals. Virtual twins can support those efforts by providing data and reducing emissions embedded in development and production. Nevertheless, the technology is not a standalone solution. It works best when integrated with broader carbon management and net-zero programs that include measurement, target-setting, and reporting.

The projections from Dassault Systèmes and Accenture are significant, but they remain projections. The technology’s impact at scale is yet to be proven. Businesses should approach the claims with caution, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than marketing promises. Where virtual twins can deliver specific, trackable reductions in emissions or waste, they are worth considering. Where the benefits are uncertain, businesses may be better served by other carbon reduction measures.

Ultimately, virtual twin technology is one tool among many. It can help businesses reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and meet regulatory requirements. However, it is not a substitute for comprehensive climate action. Businesses still need to measure their carbon footprint, set credible targets, engage their supply chains, and invest in proven reduction measures. Virtual twins can support that work, but they cannot replace it.

Further information and government guidance

Businesses looking for guidance on carbon reporting and net-zero planning can find detailed information on the UK government’s net-zero strategy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero website. The Science Based Targets initiative provides frameworks and resources for setting emissions reduction targets at sciencebasedtargets.org. UK businesses tendering for public sector contracts should review Procurement Policy Note 06/21 on carbon reduction plans. For support with carbon reporting and ESG compliance, businesses can access practical guidance and advisory services from specialist consultancies.