The CAC 40 in the era of climate change

There is now no denying the devastating impact of climate change on our planet. Faced with this alarming reality, France’s major corporations have committed to policies and crucial actions to deal with it.

Issued on: 08/09/2023 - 11:17

1 min

Companies at the Heart of the Ecological Transition © FMM

By: Embracing tomorrow

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The figures revealed in the “Climat : CAC degrés de trop (Climate: CAC degrees too many)” report prepared by Oxfam France are a cause for concern. This report estimates the carbon footprint of the CAC 40 companies at 4.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a quantity which, if sustained, could lead to a global temperature increase of 3.5°C by 2100.

On LinkedIn, Fabrice Bonnifet, Environment Group Director at Bouygues, sounds the alarm with regard to carbon reduction policies he deems inefficient: “If we want to get out of the climate crisis, we must immediately and drastically reduce our carbon footprint and restore as many natural carbon sinks as possible."

This climate crisis is now acknowledged by an overwhelming majority, starting with the CAC 40 companies, which are key stakeholders in this energy transition. They were all gathered at the “La REF” (The Meeting of French Entrepreneurs) show, an event for entrepreneurs organised by the MEDEF confederation, where action was the watchword!

In an interview she gave on her arrival at the show, Isabelle Spiegel, Environment Director at the Vinci Group, said, “We don't have any more time to wait. Thinking about 2050 is really too far away.”

This urgency is palpable at all levels of our society. It is felt by individuals, governments and, of course, companies. This is why the large corporations now have clear environmental roadmaps focused on 2030. In other words, tomorrow!

“We have clear commitments to increase the share of renewable energy in our energy consumption to 70% by 2030”, explained Frederick Jeske-Schoenhoven, Director of Strategy and Sustainable Development at SUEZ, at a conference he attended. “We're the first generation to experience climate change and, at the same time, we're the last generation able to limit its impact.”

At the end of the LaREF conferences, the conversations were lively and consensus of the major corporations on environmental issues was unequivocal. Their commitment will be key to bringing our societies back from the brink of the climate abyss and reigniting the dream of a better future.