Eco Île-de-France

Photo : D.R.

According to an investigation published by CROCIS – the Paris Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Centre for the Observation of Trade, Industry and Services – Île-de-France SMEs “have not yet taken steps towards achieving a plan of action” with regard to sustainable develop-ment. This lack of initiative can be explained by ignorance of environmental problems in a broad sense, since more than half of the 1,700 companies surveyed (1) consider – wrongly – that they take them into account in their activity. They only put in place small measures, such as waste sorting, whereas a real strategy is called for, one which makes provision for “the 5 mainstays identified” by the study: preservation of the environment, commercial practices, human resources, greenhouse gases and energy, and regional com-mitment. However, CROCIS observers claim to be optimistic, considering that the phase for raising awareness of the issue has been completed successfully.
But goodwill is not enough, particularly in SOHOs (companies with fewer than 10 employees), of which 28% of managers request tax, financial or information aid (compared to 28% of all companies surveyed). Following this investigation, the Paris Chamber presented a report aiming to encourage SME-SMIs (2). They have drawn up a “mixed report of existing systems for incentives, aid and support,” because of a “dispersal of skills,” the withdrawal of “professional organisations and groups,” or even the lack of a following up of support action. The Chamber therefore proposes certain “key stages,” starting with correcting the “truncated perception of the notion of sustain-able development, […] sometimes excessively simplified, sometimes considered too remote and not functional enough.” In other words, the entrepreneur must be aware of the economic benefits of the process. The Paris Chamber also recommends “clarifying market demands” and “encouraging client-supplier partnership relations.” “Public procurement” and “large-scale private ordering parties” are invited to lead by example. Another aim is to develop “voluntary commitments supported by professional organisations”, which will enable the constraints of each sector to be taken into account.

(1) Four sector categories were targeted: industry, public works and building, trade, services.
(2) The report in full can be found on: www.ccip.fr.