60 big bosses call to accelerate the ecological transition

In a column published by La Tribune Dimanche, these leaders of large French companies, including Patrick Pouyanné (TotalEnergies) and Jean-Dominique Senard (Renault Group), believe that this acceleration would be the guarantee of a “new prosperity that creates jobs “.

The big bosses want to move faster. A few days before COP28, which is being held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 60 leaders of large French companies in the energy, transport and construction sectors are launching a call for “accelerate investments” in the ecological transition, in a column published by La Tribune Sunday.

If those already made “by the public authorities, the French and our businesses” are “considerable”according to them, new investments would make it possible to “reduce our emissions, change energy and invest quickly in a carbon-free production and consumption model, adapt, train stakeholders”. This would be the guarantee of “new job-creating prosperity”, they add, on condition of arousing the support of all. The current trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions “is not compatible” with carbon neutrality targeted for 2050, they note.

“There is an emergency (…) we are mobilized, listening to you, let’s show together that it is possible.”

60 managers of large French companies

in a column in La Tribune Dimanche

Among the signatories are Benoit Bazin (Saint-Gobain), Jean Laurent Bonnafé (BNP Paribas), Catherine McGregor (Engie), Florent Menegaux (Michelin), Patrick Pouyanné (TotalEnergies), Luc Rémont (EDF), Anne Rigail (Air France) , Rodolphe Saadé (CMA CGM) and Jean-Dominique Senard (Renault Group). “We believe it is possible to combine increased well-being and reduction of our material footprint”expose these captains of industry, evoking a “new prosperity compatible with the limits of our planet” And “job creator”.

Concerning their companies, often singled out for their massive contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, they nevertheless emphasize how much they have “solutions and capacity for innovation, training, financing and collective actions”. “The support of the majority for this transformation is a condition for its success”they conclude, and for that, it must be “perceived as leading to greater equity”.