OPINIONS

ENGIE calls for new carbon-neutral growth

By ENGIE - 12 June 2020 - 15:30

Since the start of the public health crisis, ENGIE has advocated reviving the global economy through low-carbon investments, in articles signed by Chairman Jean-Pierre Clamadieu and Acting CEO Claire Waysand. This position is consistent with the Group’s new purpose statement that was approved by shareholders at the General Meeting on May 14, 2020.

 

 

“Towards a smart recovery for a greener future” – 05/06/2020

To mark World Environment Day, instituted by the United Nations to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment, Claire Waysand published an article for the OECD that argues in favor of taking advantage of the post-Covid context to accelerate the ecological transition. With the aim of reconciling economic performance with positive impact, ENGIE has identified four areas to work on: improving energy efficiency of tertiary buildings and collective housing; renovating and decarbonizing major public infrastructures such as hospitals, campuses and urban areas; supporting the relocation of industry by enabling it to become greener; and speeding up projects in renewable gas and electricity. 

 

“As the fiscal balances have been heavily affected by the crisis, and public action does not have unlimited means, let us make sure that the recovery plans being drafted will create long-term value, increase the resilience and cohesion of our societies and help us accelerate our move to avoid the climate change crisis.“ 

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“The ENGIE community, rallying to tackle the crisis” -  May 15, 2020

In a new article published on his LinkedIn account, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu stresses the validity of ENGIE’s model through committing to a strategic plan for speeding up the implementation of low-carbon solutions and energies to support a sustainable economic revival. This policy was ratified by ENGIE at its General Meeting on May 14, 2020.
 

“Shareholders approved the inclusion of our purpose statement in the company’s by-laws. This is excellent news, because it sets out the Group’s long-term direction. It will be very useful to us in the new period that is opening up, which we say should be a period of world economic revival through low-carbon investments.”

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“Let’s put the environment at the heart of economic recovery” -  May 3, 2020

Let’s put the environment at the heart of economic recovery

In an article co-authored with a wide array of French business leaders published in Le Monde, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu emphasizes the need for coordinated action between public players and businesses in the service of ecological transition. In particular, the article calls for investment in the energy-efficient renovation of buildings, the development of carbon-free mobility and an increase in the share of renewable energies.
 

“Already we have set this thought process in motion to ensure that economic recovery is on a sustainable and resilient footing. By acting collectively, we will be able to safeguard the health of our fellow citizens, revitalize our industrial facilities and make the necessary changes so that our children have a livable planet which delivers human, economic and social prosperity. Let us use the present challenge we are facing together as an opportunity for us all to put the environment at the core of a collective rebound.”

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“Clean and profitable solutions are a formidable lever for qualitative rather than quantitative economic growth” -  April 30, 2020

At the initiative of Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, of which ENGIE is a partner, several French business leaders including Jean-Pierre Clamadieu are calling on governments to implement “ambitious” environmental policies and to support the development of green technologies that have already proved themselves profitable. Renewable energies, the circular economy, and the greening of infrastructures, industrial processes or agriculture can all be levers for new sustainable growth.
 

“Though, like thousands of other companies, we are being hit by the crisis, we remain committed to meeting our social and environmental objectives, promoting sustainable and affordable food, renewable energies, fair trade, reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, circular-economy processes, and resource efficiency.”

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“For a low-carbon recovery” - April 18, 2020

In an article published on his LinkedIn account, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu points out parallels between the public health crisis and the climate crisis, and appeals for “breakthrough” solution to be implemented for the environment, as has happened in a very rapid way in reaction to Covid-19.


“We can learn from what we have been going through: the world needs a long-term vision on such fundamental issues as public health, agriculture, energy and the environment. We have to accept to change our behavior, as citizens, as consumers and in our companies. The radical break that this crisis represents reminds us that our decisions and actions today have the power to change the course of our history.”

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“In Europe, we will have to develop a new model for prosperity” -  April 14, 2020

In Europe, we will have to develop a new model for prosperity

In an article that appeared in Le Monde, the Acting CEO of ENGIE, Claire Waysand, joins forces with European associations, trade unions and politicians to call for a European alliance for the climate. The need for massive investment driven by the crisis has to speed up the ecological transition and the implementation of a Green New Deal through public and private support for agroecology, energy efficiency and renewable energies. They assert that a new economic model centered on citizens’ needs has to emerge.
 

“Converting to a carbon-neutral economy, more sustainable agricultural systems and the protection of biodiversity have the potential to rapidly create jobs and prosperity, and improve the quality of life of citizens. This is how we will build more resilient societies.”

 

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