Carbon neutrality: the commitment of CAC 40 companies

The fight against climate change also involves companies.

At a summit at the Élysée this weekend, they made strong commitments on their actions in favor of the climate.

The symbol is strong.

First, because the private sector plays a key role in the fight against climate change: innovations, technological progress in the automobile, recycling, the use of materials or energy efficiency are very largely the result of 'private companies.

The industrial private sector has a capacity to act quickly and to mobilize that the public cannot match.

For example, like what happened in a few months on vaccines.

It is therefore important that companies get involved in this climate battle.

This is the condition for it to produce results.

It's good to make big speeches and say that "the house is on fire" but for that to really change on the ground, it goes through the companies.

The bigger ones lead by example.

They have more resources, that's normal.

This is the other strong symbol.

The 40 CAC 40 companies, which are present in sectors as diverse as finance, luxury goods, automotive and energy, have committed to adopting a new standard to account for their CO2 emissions and thus be accountable.

The objective is to aim for carbon neutrality in 2050, which is one of the goals of the Paris Agreement.

But more and more French and foreign companies are committing to do better and therefore to adapt their strategy accordingly.

And to make public commitments to their clients and their shareholders and therefore to the stock market, hence penalties if they do not meet these objectives.

These companies ultimately play their image.

And that has a virtuous effect.

In the food industry, for example, Nestlé and Danone, which are competitors, compete in this area.

Nestlé is aiming for net zero emissions in 2050, this is very ambitious because it counts the emissions produced by its raw material suppliers, for example milk producers and the way they feed their cows, and that goes up to the use of the product by the consumer which also emits CO2.

But Danone is also virtuous if not more, it is one of the most advanced companies in France.

One after the other, companies are putting the subject of "climate" at the heart of their strategy.

It has become a competitive and image asset.

A virtuous circle begins, so much the better!