France has seen a temperature increase of over 1.7 °C since the 20th century, affecting climate systems and agriculture. While industrial emissions have declined, the sector still contributes significantly to greenhouse gases. The Young Environmental Award encourages individuals aged 15 to 30 to propose innovative ideas for ecological transition in industry. Submissions are due by March 23, 2025, with finalists presenting their projects in June 2025. Winners will receive monetary awards from prominent partners.
The Impact of Climate Change in France
Since the turn of the 20th century, France has experienced a significant rise in temperature, exceeding 1.7 °C. The IPCC’s adaptation report, released in February 2022, emphasizes that this climatic upheaval disrupts every aspect of our planet. It affects not only the various climates—hot, dry, and cold—but also vital systems such as soil health and the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles that are essential for agriculture. The repercussions of this climate crisis are already being felt at an irreversible scale, with scientists warning about potential “tipping points” that could lead to catastrophic changes.
Industrial Emissions and Their Decline
The industrial sector is a significant contributor to pollution in France, accounting for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, as reported by the High Council for Climate. This is in addition to emissions from the energy sector (11%) and waste management (4%). The chemical, construction materials, and metallurgy industries each represent a quarter of industrial emissions, while the remaining emissions come from the agri-food sector and other industries. Activities such as extraction, refinement, and combustion are major drivers of these emissions.
On a positive note, emissions from this sector have been on a downward trend for the past three decades, decreasing from 141 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 1990 to 69.7 million tons in 2020. However, the trend of deindustrialization poses a challenge, as many activities are relocating abroad, leading to the industrial sector contributing 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction is not universally applicable and does not necessarily indicate improvements in industrial practices. Additionally, the push for decarbonization in transport and housing, along with the extraction of rare earth materials, introduces new environmental challenges.
To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, it is crucial for the industrial sector to adopt sustainable practices. Currently, the industry lacks a clear goal for carbon neutrality. Questions arise about the innovative practices being developed to minimize pollutant emissions and the dependence on rare earth materials. The aviation industry is still grappling with its ecological transition, raising the question of how to create appealing job opportunities in industries focused on environmental sustainability. This presents a unique challenge for the new EPE award.
Call for Projects: Young Environmental Award
For the past two decades, the French association of Companies for the Environment (EpE) has hosted the Young Environmental Award to inspire the younger generation to advocate for ecological preservation. This award invites students, young graduates, or active individuals aged 15 to 30 to contribute their ideas toward the ecological transition of the industrial sector.
Participants are encouraged to submit responses to this year’s theme in a maximum of 10,000 characters, with the option to include digital materials. “Feel free to propose your innovative and concrete ideas. Be ambitious, creative, and persuasive,” suggests the Companies for the Environment website.
Submissions must be made by email at [email protected] or by mail to EPE – 50 rue chaussée d’Antin 75009 Paris, before midnight on Sunday, March 23, 2025. A jury composed of experts, including journalists, industry representatives, educators, and former winners, will select four finalists. These finalists will present their projects at a public hearing on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
This prestigious award is supported by notable partners, including Renault Group, Air Liquide, EDF, and Actu-Environnement, who will award the winners €10,000, €5,000, €3,000, and €1,000 respectively.