Dn a context of deep parliamentary crisis and distrust of politics, Michel Barnier announced, in his general policy speech, that he wanted to tackle head-on the country's double debt, budgetary and ecological. If this imperative is widely shared and responds to the main concerns of the French, the heated debates around the 2025 budget, which includes significant cuts to the resources allocated to the ecological transition, show that consensus remains difficult to find.
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The best chance of creating a sufficiently unifying project, however, rests on a policy of sustainable and inclusive growth. Accelerating the transition could open up new industrial sectors, create jobs and contribute to poverty reduction. Although its financing seems risky with a high debt-to-GDP ratio, France benefits from unique assets: technological innovation, carbon-free energy, a solid welfare state and privileged access to European Union markets.
It is essential to avoid a technocratic and centralized approach that underestimates the redistributive impacts of climate policies disconnected from local realities, as evidenced by the reaction of the “yellow vests” to the increase in fuel taxes under the first five-year term of office. 'Emmanuel Macron. Strengthening trust and coordination between the State, regions and local authorities, as well as between citizens and their territories, around the concrete benefits of climate action is therefore essential to guarantee a just and successful transition.
Innovation stimulated
Innovation is at the heart of France's competitive advantage in the sustainable economy. The country has a strong industrial base in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy, providing a favorable foundation for the development of advanced green technologies. Increasing investment in research and development would boost productivity and growth. France's leadership in hydrogen technologies, with a commitment of 7 billion euros, is promising.
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French start-ups are already tackling large-scale infrastructure problems, requiring the development of new materials, physical assets and processes. Verkor, a battery manufacturer, is building a gigafactory in Dunkirk (North), showing that the benefits of the innovation economy can extend beyond Paris. Driveco hopes to deploy electric charging stations in Europe. This boldness in terms of innovation, supported by capital investments, positions France to be among the leaders in products and know-how towards which global demand is oriented. The country can also diversify into sectors that are still underdeveloped but offer strong potential for competitiveness and quality jobs, such as low energy and waste consumption technologies.
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