This text appeared in the form of an open letter on 26 November 2023 in ‘La Tribune du Dimanche’: https://www.epe-asso.org/accelerer-la-transition-ecologique/
2030 Milestone for the Ecological Transition Report (ETE 2030) is the fruit of thinking similar to that on environmental planning. We have spearheaded this thinking since 2022 to address, in line with the corporate vision of our member companies, the issue of priorities: what do we have to do by 2030 to be on a credible ecological transition pathway which delivers on France’s and Europe’s commitments?
Europe and France have made ambitious commitments that are among the most progressive in the world. They consist, under the Paris and Kunming-Montreal agreements, in achieving carbon neutrality and restoring biodiversity by 2050 without placing further strain on the resources of the rest of the world, and in doing our part to preserve the habitability of our planet.
Scientists, along with the French High Council on Climate, point out that we are not on an emission pathway compatible with those commitments. It is essential to further step up the already considerable transition investments made by the public authorities, the French people and our member companies to reduce emissions, switch energy, invest rapidly in a decarbonised production and consumption model, adapt ourselves, and train stakeholders.
We must also make integrated efforts to adapt to climate change and regenerate nature with emission reduction measures.
Last year we collectively showed that sufficiency is indeed possible. The 2022 joint winter plan achieved combined gas and electricity savings of 12%. We now need to step up investment to increase and sustain these energy savings over time.
We believe it is possible to build new prosperity together within the limits of our planet and propose to centre it on innovations and investments which develop circularity, structural sufficiency and a new relationship with living beings. We also believe that doing so will create more meaningful jobs thus enhancing our health and well-being.
This study outlines our convictions and sets them out in concrete form to help everyone plan their own transition with their partners. It is also a joint appeal by our companies addressed to all components of society.
This transformation requires everyone’s participation to happen: economic players (who have solutions and a capacity for innovation, training, financing and collective action); public authorities (because the transition requires support through clear frameworks and mechanisms as well as equity of effort); citizens and inhabitants; consumers; elected officials; leaders; employees and shareholders – all of whom can choose to play an active role and adopt the new lifestyles proposed.
We call for collective and concrete progress on two priorities.
The first involves each of us reallocating our spending and time, reinventing and reinvesting in our production, distribution and service systems, and in our housing, transport, and consumption patterns with the aim of decarbonising, limiting waste, recycling, and regenerating nature. Long-term savings in energy, materials and land are essential to reduce strains on the planet and mitigate our vulnerabilities. We believe it possible to combine improved well-being with a lighter material footprint. We should be able to live better and enjoy new economic prosperity if we resolved together to change our consumption patterns resulting in better food, comfortable housing, accessible services and a better environment more conducive to our health.
The second concerns re-engineering our social model together. For example, our businesses are actively engaged in investing to reinforce our positive impacts and limit our negative impacts.
Furthermore, rules governing life in society are necessary to sustainably and equitably manage the scarcity of resources, support the most vulnerable in this transformation in a way that will protect them, and strengthen our resilience and ability to anticipate crises of various kinds. For the French to adhere to this transformation process, it must clearly be perceived as creating more fairness.
Overwhelming support for this transformation is a precondition for its success. Not only are we fully committed to it, but we also consider it to be a realistic path to prosperity, health and well-being. Daunting though it is, the challenge, which is unprecedented in the history of mankind, must be taken up. In this emergency, everyone needs to respond and contribute with every available solution, in a concerted move. We are ready for it and attentive to what you want to tell us. Together let’s go for it!