Coline Fesnin
Author
The severe threats to Earth's liveable conditions (external link) demand change in France's ecological transition policies. Despite the potential of sufficiency to contribute at least 40% of the targeted 50% energy demand reduction in Europe by 2050 (without relying on unproven technologies) (external link), French policymakers have yet to fully embrace it.
The French government promotes an “ecology based on science” (external link), yet it neglects the social dimensions of the transition, (external link)advances anti-ecological projects and remains locked into growth imperatives (external link), contrary to scientific recommendations, and the principles for enabling sufficiency framework (external link). However, this trajectory can still shift. To align with sufficiency as defined by Saheb and included in the 2022 IPCC climate mitigation report, (external link) France must develop a more comprehensive plan that goes beyond efficiency (external link).
Embracing sufficiency would offer the most rationale and accessible measures to reduce environmental impact in the short term. (external link) This requires expanding the scope by introducing stronger measures, setting higher emissions' reduction targets (the current efforts only reach 60% reductions from a more ambitious scenario (external link)) and considering sufficiency principles beyond the energy sector (external link).
Progressive energy transition scenarios aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal integrate sufficiency, (external link) as enhanced efficiency and renewable energy alone are not enough and can present societal challenges. Nuclear energy, a cornerstone of current French energy transition policies, faces significant delays, rising costs (external link), and uncertainties (external link)regarding plants operating in a warming climate (external link). Furthermore, materials essential for renewable energy infrastructure (metals, biomass...) come with (external link)environmental and social consequences that must be addressed (external link).
Sufficiency could strengthen France’s sovereignty and autonomy by reducing fossil fuels (50% of energy consumption (external link)) and uranium imports, both vulnerable to geopolitical fluctuations (external link). Additionally, it would improve the country's trade balance; a key priority for French policymakers (external link).
The sufficiency approach promoted by the French government (external link) places the burden entirely on (external link)consumers, without any distinction (external link). This contradicts academic literature, which underscores the need for structural governmental policies to enable lifestyle change, as individual agency is limited and shaped by socioeconomic factors. (external link)
Advocating for sufficiency at the international level, where it could become a key factor in geopolitical power, (external link) offers France a unique opportunity to lead and position itself as a pioneer in sustainable policymaking.
France can achieve this by driving societal change and shifting citizens’ lifestyles debunking the green growth myth (external link), and promoting material sufficiency instead of overabundance (external link) - a concept already referenced in French political discourse (external link).
Indicators must shift towards metrics rooted in health, education, food security and culture, fostering (external link) the achievement of wellbeing for all (external link). These are key strengths of the Welfare State that should be reinforced and embraced with pride, as GDP fails to capture the co-benefits of climate and sufficiency policies (external link).
Sufficiency, though currently met with defiance, has the potential to inspire new imaginaries, rooted in eudaimonism and anchored in an alternative vision for the country built on values, strategy and enabling conditions (external link). Through collective decision-making (external link), reduced advertising pressure, reimagining territorial development, and informed citizen engagement, it could foster greater social acceptance (external link).
Sufficiency must be subject to political reflection, focusing on the equitable distribution of resources. A deep profound transformation of all sectors through exemplary public leadership, new planning approaches, clear trajectories, and effective monitoring, (external link) a broader structural shift would enable sufficiency policies to drive the ecological transition in France and beyond.
By embracing sufficiency, political decision-makers can exercise their power wisely, fostering a more sustainable and just society.