Sustainable consumption: between dream and reality 🌍
Today, we hear talk of sustainable consumption, ecological transition and environmentally-friendly products at every turn. But are the French really following this trend? The Helios survey gives us some clues: 81% of French people say they are concerned about global warming, and 68% think that responsible consumption is a solution for preserving the planet. Sounds good on paper, doesn't it? But in practice, things get more complicated.
The French want to consume better, but this comes at a cost. 78% of them believe that ecological products are still too expensive. Price is the first obstacle. And yet, despite this barrier, 52% of consumers say they are prepared to pay more for environmentally-friendly products. So, can we really say that sustainable consumption is within reach?
Food, the first lever for action 🥗
It's no secret that food is at the heart of sustainable consumption. According to the study, 74% of French people consider it to be the primary lever for action. Buying local, organic and seasonal food is becoming almost the norm in some households, despite sometimes higher prices. But the choice isn't always easy, especially when purchasing power is limited. In fact, 35% of French people say they have reduced their consumption of products with a high ecological impact.
But food isn't the only area where things are changing. We're seeing more and more initiatives to reduce waste or buy second-hand products. Back Market, for example, enables consumers to buy reconditioned products, offering a more sustainable alternative to new purchases. Now that's ecological transition in action!
Electric vehicles: a growing success ⚡
The mobility sector is not to be outdone. By 2023, nearly 1 in 5 new vehicles sold in France will be electric or hybrid. The French government, well aware of the stakes, has introduced measures to encourage this transition, with ecological bonuses and conversion bonuses. A real step forward in the energy transition, even if certain obstacles, such as the lack of recharging infrastructure, persist.
But this success is also the result of a genuine industrial effort. The government's sustainable development plan aims to produce 1 million electric vehicles by 2027. A giant step towards reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.
The French government wants to speed up the transition 🌱
To meet the challenges of climate change, the French government has launched an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. Measures such as the Climate and Resilience Act and the development of renewable energies are at the heart of this strategy.
The creation of the Ecological Planning Council is a concrete example of this commitment. This council aims to integrate ecology into all political decisions, in order to guarantee a fair and sustainable transition. On the industrial side, the government is offering turnkey industrial sites to encourage investment in green technologies such as hydrogen and electric batteries.
With massive investments in transport infrastructure, waste management and renewable energies, France is positioning itself as a leader in ecological transition. But there is still a long way to go before sustainable consumption becomes a reality accessible to all.
Business and purchasing power: a complex equation 💸
Even if the French are prepared to make efforts, purchasing power remains a matter of concern. According to the study, 70% of consumers feel that their income does not allow them to meet the importance they attach to sustainable food. It's not for lack of trying, but in the face of rising prices, value for money is becoming the main purchasing criterion.
Companies must therefore strike a balance between sustainable products and affordable prices. And therein lies the rub. Initiatives to make eco-responsible products more affordable, such as lowering VAT, are still insufficient to offset the price gap. However, initiatives such as Tous Consom'acteurs! launched by Hélios show that solutions do exist to reconcile responsible consumption and purchasing power.
What do we take away from this article? 📌
✅ 81% of French people are concerned about global warming.
✅ 74% consider food to be their primary lever for sustainable consumption.
✅ 52% of French people are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products.
✅ Purchasing power remains an obstacle, but initiatives like Tous Consom'acteurs! show that solutions are emerging.
Focus on... Renewable energies in France ☀️
France is well on the way to becoming a major player in renewable energies. In 2022, the first offshore wind farm saw the light of day in Saint-Nazaire, and by 2050, France aims to install 100 GW of solar power and 40 GW of offshore wind power. A true energy revolution that shows that the ecological transition is well underway.
The "Underconsumption Core": is sobriety becoming a trend?
On TikTok, the "underconsumption core" or sobriety trend is gaining in popularity, with users boasting about reducing their consumption, whether by keeping the same sunglasses for 10 years or using their products to the last drop. This trend encourages consumers to "use what you already own, don't give in to every trend and adopt a spirit of sustainability", as Natalia Trevino Amaro, stylist and slow fashion activist, explains in an article published in Vogue France.This trend reflects a growing awareness of the climate emergency, where more and more young people, particularly in France, are confronted with economic challenges and ecological concerns. Although these individual gestures are not enough to solve the global environmental crisis, they do mark a willingness to rethink our lifestyles and encourage a transition towards more sober consumption, respectful of the environment and resources such as energy and water.
