Everything you need to know about phase two of the French government's sobriety plan

At a time when the environmental consequences of our actions have become paramount, the French government has unveiled the second phase of its sobriety plan, taking a proactive approach to building a more sustainable future.  

But what exactly do we mean by "sobriety", and how could this government initiative affect your company?  

What is sobriety?

In an environmental context, sobriety means reducing our consumption of resources and our production of waste in order to limit our impact on the environment.  

It is not simply a matter of replacing our current habits with more sustainable alternatives, but rather of rethinking the way we live, work and consume in order to protect our planet.

Read our dedicated article on energy sobriety.  

Why does sobriety matter to the French government?

Like many countries, France needs to reduce its ecological footprint in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.  

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, France committed to helping keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this goal, energy and environmental sobriety is a necessity.

France also actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all by 2030. Several of these goals, particularly those related to climate action and responsible consumption and production, are directly linked to sobriety.

It is against this backdrop that the French government introduced its sobriety plan. By encouraging sober behavior among individuals and businesses, the government hopes not only to meet its international climate change commitments, but also to foster a transition toward an economy that is more environmentally friendly and more resilient in the long term. The sobriety plan is therefore an integral part of the national strategy for a more sustainable and responsible future.

Act 2 of the government's sobriety plan

Act 1 of the energy sobriety plan, dating from June 2022, was mainly a call for general mobilization of individuals and businesses to reduce energy consumption.  

Act 2 of the French government's energy sobriety plan reflects its ongoing commitment to reducing energy consumption.  

First, the government carried out an in-depth review of the actions taken, assessed the results achieved, highlighted the successes and identified the areas in need of improvement.

During this second phase, each working group drew up a sector roadmap setting out specific sobriety measures for each business sector. These roadmaps also establish dedicated governance structures to monitor energy consumption, identify best practices and share information with all the stakeholders concerned. This regular monitoring process is essential to ensuring that sobriety efforts are sustained over time.

With a particular focus on summer sobriety, the plan aims to reduce the impact of energy consumption during the hottest months of the year, when electricity demand for air conditioning often peaks. Specific measures relating to fuel and digital technology were also highlighted, reflecting the importance of these areas in overall energy consumption.

Finally, Act 2 includes a communication campaign launched in June 2023, called "Every gesture counts" ("Chaque geste compte"), which aims to thank French people for their participation in energy sobriety this winter and to encourage them to keep up their efforts this summer.  

How does the sobriety plan affect French companies?

Sobriety can have a significant impact on companies in several ways. First, by adopting sober practices, companies can reduce their operating costs. For example, by minimizing their consumption of energy, water and materials, companies can make substantial savings on their bills.

Second, sobriety can help companies comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations. European governments are imposing new restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, waste management and other aspects of economic activity. By adopting sober practices, companies can anticipate these changes and avoid potential penalties.

Sobriety can also help companies improve their brand image and reputation. More and more consumers value companies that take concrete steps to reduce their environmental impact. As a result, by committing to sobriety, companies can strengthen their relationship with their customers and increase brand loyalty.

Finally, sobriety can drive innovation within companies. By looking for ways to reduce their resource consumption, companies can discover new production methods, new products or new, more sustainable business models. This can give them a competitive edge in a market that is increasingly concerned with sustainability.

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How can you bring sobriety into your company?

Bringing sobriety into your company requires a holistic, strategic approach. It is crucial to identify the areas where the company can reduce its consumption and waste production, and to involve everyone in the company in this effort.  

This may involve rethinking production processes, encouraging remote working to reduce travel, opting for renewable energy, or promoting recycling and reuse within the company.  

Leasetic supports companies that want to reduce their environmental impact as well as their costs.  

Our support is built around four main value propositions:

- Financing to help you grow your business and your innovation

- Leasing and fleet management for your machines

- Upcycling to extend the life of your equipment or give it a second life

- Financial expertise

Want to accelerate your ecological transition as well as your growth? Contact one of our experts today!