Time for a historic choice: towards a resilient, fair and sovereign French energy model

France is at a crossroads. With an electricity mix that is already largely decarbonized (72% nuclear and 27% renewable energies), our country has a unique potential to make a success of its energy transition. However, this virtuous base still only covers around 40% of final energy consumption, with the remainder dependent on imported fossil fuels. This paradoxical situation undermines our sovereignty, our economy and our social cohesion.

In response to this urgent need, Impact France's Cercle Énergie, which brings together nearly a hundred energy players across the value chain and throughout France, has published a white paper to mark its official launch, presenting its key proposals: "The historic opportunity for a resilient, fair and sovereign French energy model". A call to action that outlines the contours of a systemic energy transformation, based on three pillars: stability of energy policies, transformation of demand, and fair and transparent ownership of the transition.

1) Stabilize long-term energy policies 

• By setting out a clear trajectory for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Paris Agreements and the European Green Pact, to establish France as a driving force behind the energy transition in Europe;

• By reaffirming our commitments to end the use of fossil fuels by 2050, in line with the commitments made as part of the SNEC, via coherent policies (carbon taxation, elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, etc.);‍
  

• By stabilizing a sustainable competitive framework for the deployment of renewable energies, which create sustainable, local and accessible jobs.

2) Transforming energy demand

• By encouraging decarbonized and electrified energy consumption;

• By developing the necessary infrastructures throughout the country to enable all economic players and citizens to make a concrete commitment to this transformation, which is a vector of energy sovereignty;

• By reinforcing the flexibility of the energy system and ambitiously integrating sobriety.

3) Ensure fair and transparent ownership of the energy transition

• By supporting a just transition, through social justice measures in each project, overall support for the most fragile businesses and households for these transformations, but also by supporting self-consumption.

• Implementing an industrial strategy to serve the climate and local communities, by revising the financing system to make the energy transition a driver of reindustrialization and social innovation.
  

A vision for the future: clear-sighted, ambitious, collective

This white paper marks a turning point: the transition to coordinated, systemic and inclusive action. The Cercle Énergie d'Impact France proposes not just technical guidelines, but a project for society: that of an energy model capable of combining environmental performance, social justice and industrial sovereignty.

At a time when climate inaction will cost far more than action (up to 20% of global GDP according to the Stern Review), it's time to make some structuring choices. The transition will be neither easy nor linear. But it is possible, if it is underpinned by stability, coherence and solidarity.

Download the white paper