Updated March 2024
Your customers, employees, partners and institutions are asking you to make an effort in terms of social commitment. The subject is vast, and you don't have the time to review all the solutions. At a time when governments need to find ways of controlling their country's pollution, we present you with ideas and aids to get you started - they are subject to change with the government's timetable.
1. Renovate your offices for greater comfort and lower energy costs
As part of the stimulus plan, the French Ministry of the Economy has set aside aid for the ecological transition of VSEs and SMEs. Since 2021, aid has been available to both professionals and private individuals. Companies are encouraged with the ecological bonus, receive tax credits to modernize their production lines or financial benefits to reduce their energy bills.
Tax credits for insulation, heating and ventilation systems
As for private individuals, the work must be carried out by a professional recognized as an environmental guarantor(RGE). The tax credit can also be combined with other existing forms of assistance, such as the energy-saving certificates(CEE) or C2E, which oblige energy, electricity and natural gas suppliers (such as EDF, Engie, Total, BP, Auchan, Leclerc, etc.) to take action to reduce energy consumption, whether on their own premises or those of their customers. This means they offer grants, subsidized loans or free diagnostics to help you save energy. These grants are available to all, regardless of income, and can be worth up to several thousand euros. All you need to do is register with the CEE website before starting any work. Other existing subsidies include the Eco PTZ (zero-rate eco-loan) and 5.5% VAT.
Find out more about the Ademe scheme here.
More information on energy bonuses for professionals
The economic benefits of better insulation
According to a professional website, heating costs account for 62% of energy consumption. This could rise to 80% of consumption in some cases. According to a Belgian document, renovation work saves an average of 15 euros per m2 per year, and up to 30 euros per m2 per year when it comes to windows! (source of figures)
The benefits in terms of comfort and noise are not negligible either...
If these insulation efforts are complemented by LED bulbs and adapted lighting systems, the positive impact on your bill and the planet is considerable.
For more information on financing, and in particular on the DIAG ECO-flux, visit the BPI website.
2. Transforming production methods and waste production in the workplace
Eco-design is everywhere, in every sector: this concept, which encourages designers to think about reuse before designing an object, is everywhere. It can be applied to an industry, of course, but also to a service company. The use of servers to heat water in a building (for showering or cleaning) is becoming increasingly popular, and saves energy by cooling systems. (Stimergy).
The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) offers funding for SMEs looking for innovative solutions or wishing to develop R&D - research and development - into more environmentally-friendly processes. SMEs can contact their regional ADEME office to find out what kind of assistance they are eligible for. Amounts vary greatly from one region to another, depending on means.
ADEME offers waste management solutions for businesses
Your business site employs between 20 and 250 people, whatever your sector, and you want to make savings by optimizing your energy, materials, water and waste flows. The Ademe and BPI France program offers personalized support to help your company adopt a more sustainable approach to reducing energy and resource consumption. The program, called Le Diag Eco-Flux, formerly known as "TPE & PME gagnantes", provides a 12-month expert to identify areas for improvement. The scheme costs €1,000 for sites with 20 to 49 employees, and €1,500 for sites with 50 to 250 employees.
ADEME reports average annual savings of €180 per employee (for 80% of companies), and a return on investment of less than 1 year for 78% of actions.
For companies in the Ile de France region, a free website enables them to buy or sell their waste to other companies. The Bourse des Dechets des CCI de France gives value back to unwanted materials, and is accessible to all sectors and company sizes. In a way, it's like "le bon coin" for craftsmen and manufacturers looking for low-cost materials.
Similarly, processes can be redesigned to generate less impact on the environment: encourage telecommuting or cycling to work.
3. Incentives to renew the car fleet
The PME; Plan de Mobilité Employeur (Employer Mobility Plan ) encourages soft modes of transport as opposed to the private car. With the aim of reducing CO2 emissions, companies that encourage their employees to come to work by bike, carpool or public transport can benefit from a sustainable mobility package (formerly known as the bicycle mileage allowance): The sustainable mobility package entitles employees to a maximum of €400 per year, per employee, exempt from social security contributions and income tax.
Find out more about the Employer Mobility Plan
For companies that need to use trucks and other vehicles for their transport needs, there is a scheme to help with the acquisition and leasing of low-pollution vehicles. The scheme comprises two forms of assistance: the ecological bonus and the conversion premium.
The ecological bonus is financial assistance for the purchase or leasing for at least two years of a new vehicle in a low-pollution category. By combining the bonus and the conversion premium, the total amount of government aid for companies can now reach up to €10,000.
In September 2020, the French Ministry of Transport announced that the €2.7 billion in aid earmarked for fleet conversion would also apply to heavy goods vehicles.
The government would offer a bonus for the purchase of electric or hydrogen-powered trucks. On the other hand, this transport sector recovery plan will place greater emphasis on rail freight and the green aircraft of tomorrow.
When it comes to ecology, several economic incentives are available to encourage SMEs to take initiatives in this direction. The benefits in terms of communication will also be considerable. By demonstrating your commitment, you'll stand out from the competition and win over professionals and consumers who are increasingly aware of environmental issues. For these efforts to have the expected impact, communication must be honest, transparent and quantifiable.
¾ of French people now want concrete examples of a company's commitment.
Discover our ideas for improving your social impact and our CSR training courses and support to help you in your approach.
