Supporting companies in their transition

You recently launched the platform “Impact”: what does it consist of and who is it for?

The impact.gouv.fr platform was launched on May 27th. It is aimed at all companies, particularly SMEs and ETIs, that have not waited for regulation, whether French or European, to address the climate and social urgency. Many of them are already doing a lot in terms of social, environmental, or governance actions, but these actions remain poorly understood and therefore poorly visible. So, we co-built with around a hundred pioneering companies, as well as representatives from networks, federations, or unions, a “training center” platform aimed at sharing know-how and, above all, making it known. Making known to as many people as possible what all companies, from small TPEs to CAC40 multinationals, are already doing in terms of transition. This tool values transparency rather than performance: it is open to all companies that want to improve and not specifically to the most virtuous ones.

What is the interest for companies to participate?

Today, the DPEF (extra-financial performance statement) has only been mandatory since 2019 for companies with more than 500 employees and with turnover and balance sheet thresholds. But what is a regulatory obligation for a few is an economic obligation for all: the proliferation of labels and ratings certifying companies’ green or social commitments demonstrates the importance that consumers, as well as employees and investors, attach to them.

So, I could summarize the interests for companies to participate in impact.gouv.fr in three keywords: visibility, competitiveness, and anticipation. The platform first allows companies to give visibility to what they are already implementing, particularly in their CSR policy. The first commitment on the platform is thus to affirm their action in the face of the climate and social emergency by signing a Manifesto. Then, by making their data public through a battery of 47 harmonized ESG indicators, they allow investors, researchers, NGOs but also (future) employees to understand what they are implementing and which was not valued until now.

The second interest is to strengthen their competitiveness. First, because environmental and social issues have become a reputation issue with consumers, as well as credibility in the eyes of (future) talents and investors. Also, the platform also presents an interest because companies will find in future versions from the fall, useful resources to improve. It is by drawing inspiration from each other and being supported, ultimately through personalized tools, that they will be able to do even better in terms of competitiveness.

The third advantage is that by training on these indicators, the vast majority of which will be included in the European standard, and therefore which will become mandatory in the years to come, they are anticipating future regulations and taking a lead. An important point, finally: there is no control of the data, as we are betting on trust. Companies publish under their own responsibility.

This platform anticipates European legislation on extra-financial reporting – what role does France want to play in these issues?

France is expected to participate in the European discussion on extra-financial reporting. In terms of ESG, we have a certain leadership, particularly due to the legislation we have already put in place, especially in terms of social rights. ESG is an area where France inspires Europe: we were the first country to issue green bonds in 2017, we were pioneers in implementing extra-financial reporting for portfolio managers on their investment policy, initiatives that have been replicated at the European level.

With the ongoing discussion on the Climate and Resilience Law, especially in the “Produce and Work” Title, which I am carrying for Bercy, we will further strengthen France’s lead in terms of environmental actions for companies. For months, we have been working to gather a coalition of countries that want to defend with us an ambitious position. Because what is at stake with European legislation on extra-financial reporting is not a question for technocrats, it is a real societal debate: what is the business model we want for the world of tomorrow?