23. Environment

Actions to save energy and improve energy performance play a direct role in reducing the environmental impact of human activity. They should therefore be included in all initiatives aimed at reducing these impacts, whatever the terminology used (sustainable development, circular economy, environmental and energy transition, etc.). However, it has to be said that this theme is rarely addressed in the latter. The seriousness of an environmental commitment can be judged by the presence or absence of an energy-saving action plan and its associated objectives (reductions in energy consumption and GHGs, improved energy performance, etc.).

Successive incentive policies for rational energy use have reduced energy intensity (energy consumption/GDP) as well as CO ₂ emissions at national level (see