Crédit Agricole S.A. sees the environment as a major source of progress and has been conducting research in this field for the past two years. Crédit Agricole naturally wished to share its works by participating in two of the six taskforces of the "Grenelle de l’environnement" talks between July and December 2007.
Participation in the "Grenelle de l’environnement" talks
The purpose of the political meetings organised in October 2007 between the government and the citizens was to define a roadmap in favour of the protection of the environment and sustainable development and planning. Six mixed groups of 40 members each were set up. Crédit Agricole was involved in the preparation phase and followed three of the groups. Here are some examples of the decisions made.
Combating change climate and controlling energy demand
- Cutting energy consumption by more than one third by 2020 by refurbishing property and promoting energy-efficient new buildings.
- Bringing transport emissions back to their 1990 level by 2020.
- Helping local communities become sustainable territories.
- Reviewing environmental and energy taxation by adopting an "energy climate contribution"" and directing public subsidies to low-carbon and energy projects.
- Decarbonating by increasing the proportion of renewable energies to 25 %.
Preserving biodiversity and natural resources
- Together with farmers, launching a doubly green revolution by increasing financing for agro-environment and re-orienting research.
- Bringing together the numerous public institutions working on biodiversity.
- Introducing a biodiversity and carbon criterion in the budget calculation for local authorities.
- Acting beyond our frontiers, for instance when France holds the EU presidency.
Adopting sustainable production and consumption methods
- Reaching a proportion of 50 % of sustainable farms by 2012 by relying on environmental certification/rating, a database for each territory and a bonus to young people choosing to set up with maximum requirements.
- Reaching a proportion of 10 % of high environmental value products by 2013.
- Reaching a proportion of 20 % of organic products in institutional and corporate catering by 2012.
Focus
Crédit Agricole commits to act as a relay for the Grenelle decisions
Crédit Agricole S.A believes that the environment is a critical social issue that affects each citizen in his every-day life. Together with three other cooperative and mutual banks, Crédit Agricole S.A. has officially undertaken to relay the momentum initiated by the Grenelle de l’environnement talks. This commitment is a continuation of past efforts as these banks were for instance the first to come up with environmentally friendly loans and savings books and subsidized loans, as well as the first to form local partnerships to protect the environment.
