Understanding CSR

In order to be able to embark on an approach of social responsibility of companies (CSR), it is important to understand the meaning of this concept. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) website presents assessment tools a company and guidelines to conduct a CSR approach :

What is companies' Social Responsibility (CSR)?

CCI France

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The voluntary ISO 26000 standard

The voluntary standard ISO 26000 is a reference for the structuring of a CSR approach. It is structured around 7 key questions:

• Governance of the structure
• Human rights
• Working conditions and relations
• Environmental liability
• Loyalty of practice
• Consumer and consumer protection issues
• Communities and local development.

L'Afnor: titleContent published an article presenting her:

Decline its sustainable development approach into 7 pillars with ISO 26000

French Association for Standardization (Afnor)

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Reducing industrial emissions

The Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) presents an approach to take action and decarbonize its industry:

• Getting ready
• Perform feasibility and sizing studies
• Complete a financing plan.

Taking action and decarbonizing our industry

Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)

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Know the existing accompanying measures

The DGE: titleContent (Ministry of the Economy) has also made available guides presenting the main mechanisms for the green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industrial SMEs:

To know the main measures for the green transition of SMEs

Knowledge of support schemes for the green transition for industrial SMEs

Seek individualized support and funding

To support the green transition of companies, and in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises, the platform Ecological transition of companies simplifies the company’s journey in seeking help and guidance for action.

The route is simple and gives access:

• to eligible aid: by filling in his Siret: titleContent, the company can easily identify the appropriate schemes for its sector of activity, size and location, including grants, loans, coaching and training.
• to green transition projects or actions, educational resources and the list of associated aids needed by the company to start its green transition process from all operators in the State: Ademe: titleContent, Bpifrance, CCI: titleContent, CMA: titleContent, etc.

If the company so wishes, he or she can be connected with an advisor who can accompany him or her in his or her reflections or answer questions.

Platform Ecological transition of companies: know the aids and accompaniments to take action

Know the different levers of energy sobriety

The Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) offers tips and practical guides that present:

• Diagnostics to initiate gait
• Keys to a successful project
• Training to better understand the issues
• Funding to carry out its project

Energy Sobriety: levers for action for companies

Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)

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Verify his electricity supply contract

The electricity supply contract entered into by a company may not be the most economically advantageous. In addition, in order to reduce the company's environmental impact, it is possible to subscribe to an offer to supply electricity from renewable energy sources.

A comparison of offers was made available by the Energy Ombudsman:

Electricity and gas supply comparator

The companies Ombudsman has set up an energy checklist with 10 questions to ask about his contract and invoice:

Companies Ombudsman's energy checklist

Ombudsman for companies

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Managing the indoor temperature of its buildings

Limiting the use of heating and air conditioning in rooms can lead to significant energy savings.

In addition to a voluntary reduction in cooling and heating systems, there is also a need to respect the heating temperature limits (usually at 19°C) and cooling (generally at 26°C) of buildings.

One factsheet detailing these regulations can be consulted.

Carrying out energy renovation work

The company that carries out certain energy renovation work on a building for tertiary use may benefit from tax credit for the expenses incurred by it. The criteria depend on the geographical location of the renovated buildings (metropolitan France or overseas departments and regions). The tax credit is 30% the amount of expenditure incurred by the company up to €25,000.

One dedicated card on this subject can be consulted.

Employee mobility

An employer can to pay the personal transport costs of its employees during their journeys from home to work if they use a alternative means of transport : carpooling, cycling, etc. This support takes the form of a Sustainable Mobility Package (FMD).

The FMD encourages employees to use more virtuous modes of transport to get to their place of work. He may be exempt from social security contributions.

A dedicated factsheet on this subject can be consulted.

Companies subject to business tax (SI) may benefit from a tax reduction for the provision of a fleet of bicycles.

Retrofit of company vehicles

Some companies want transforming thermal-powered vehicles (cars, utility vehicles, etc.) in hybrid or electric motor vehicles may benefit from the retrofit premium, support for the conversion of polluting vehicles. Dedicated fact sheets detail the conditions for granting the aid, its amount and the vehicles concerned.

• For sole proprietorshipHowever, it is possible to find out more on the sheet dedicated to the retrofit premium individual business for vehicles of
• For businessesHowever, it is possible to find out more on the sheet dedicated to the retrofit premium for business vehicles.

Knowledge of ecodesign

L'ecodesign is an approach that reduces the negative environmental impact of products, processes or services over their entire life cycle, while maintaining their quality of use.

The Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) is providing practical guidance and guides to carry out its eco-design project:

Improving the environmental performance of its products, processes and services through eco-design

Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)

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Labeling your products with the European eco-label

The European Ecolabel (or “ European ecolabel ") is a label awarded to products or services which environmental performance criteria.

Labeled products have a reduced environmental impact (pollution, contribution to climate change, etc.) compared to similar unlabeled products.

The European eco-label is a reference, recognized by its customers and collaborators, which makes it possible to enhance the environmental commitment of its company.

The dedicated card at the European Ecolabel can be consulted.

Company sponsorship

A company can do donations to non-profit organizations. It's called company patronage.

These donations give access to a tax cut. In order to benefit from this tax advantage, certain conditions must be met.

The dedicated card company sponsorship can be consulted.

Becoming a mission business

Businesses wishing to become even more socially or environmentally involved can become mission businesses.

The concept of ‘mission business’ is a quality recognized by businesses guaranteeing the social and environmental commitments. The mission business aims to to contribute positively to business and the environment, through the achievement of objectives which it sets itself.

The dedicated card to the status of ‘business-to-mission’ can be consulted.