CSR: Committing to the ecological transition of its company

Verified 24 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

As part of their CSR (social responsibility of companies) approach, all companies can to limit the environmental impact of their activities and driving their green transition. This has many interests : Savings, attractiveness of new customers, anticipation of environmental standards, risk reduction, etc. We present you the information you need to know.

This fact sheet focuses on what companies can decide to implement voluntarily to support their green and energy transition. Many of the environmental and green transition obligations are available in the Environment section (in the "company Management" drop-down menu).

Step-by-step approach

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 :

FYI  

Each company may be subject to CSR obligations. The CSR Portal allows you to know and answer them:

Know and meet your CSR obligations (CSR Portal)

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:

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.

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 coaching and individualized funding

The site of Mission Ecological Transition provides support and financing to help the company reduce its environmental impact.

3 steps:

  1. Fill in your profile with your Siret: titleContent get industry and geographic results in just a few clicks
  2. Answer a few questions according to the company's objectives and challenges: building, mobility, waste, water, energy...
  3. Access the green transition projects for my company and discover the studies and financial support from all government operators: Ademe: titleContent, Bpifrance, CCI: titleContent, CMA: titleContent, etc.

Know the support and financing for a company's green transition project

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

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

Please note

The very small companies (VSE) of less than 10 employees and annual turnover, revenue or balance sheet less than EUR 2 million may benefit from regulated tariffs for the sale of electricity (TRVE) offered to individuals.

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.

A factsheet detailing these regulations can be consulted.

FYI  

In some buildings for tertiary use, the technical building management systems (GTB) are also mandatory.

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.

A dedicated factsheet on this subject can be consulted.

Please note

The completion of this work may contribute to the achievement of the energy reduction targets for buildings with tertiary use of at least 1 000 m². For more information, please consult the record dedicated to this obligation.

The Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) presents practical tips and guides for:

  • Reduce waste, optimize selective sorting in company
  • Valuing the resale of materials, working to create new markets in its territory

FYI  

Many regulations govern the management of company waste. A statement summarizing these obligations 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.

FYI  

All employers must also take responsibility for certain employee public transport costs.

Purchase and provision of bicycles

Some companies want acquire bicycles (electric or not) may benefit from the bike bonus, help with the purchase of bicycles. The fact sheet dedicated to bike bonus can be consulted.

They can also benefit from the conversion premium if they separate from polluting vehicles at the time of the purchase of the bicycles. Factsheets dedicated to this aid detail their conditions of allocation, their amounts and the vehicles concerned.

Please note

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.

Acquisition of low-emission company vehicles

Some companies want to acquire new vehicles (cars, vans, etc.) may benefit from the ecological bonus, support for the purchase of low-emission vehicles.

They can also benefit from the conversion premium if they separate from a polluting vehicle.

Factsheets dedicated to this aid detail their conditions of allocation, their amounts and the vehicles concerned.

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:

Please note

The reference standard on eco-design is IEC 62430.

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 fact sheet dedicated to the European eco-label 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.

Know the support and financing for a company's green transition project

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