On September 3rd 2020, French Prime Minister Jean Castex launched a highly ambitious recovery plan for the nation with a strong emphasis on renewable energies and environmental sustainability. Marketed as a means of ensuring continued growth and assistance during the nation’s current recession, 100 billion Euros have been pledged to assist in improving three main pillars of the economy: the environment, industrial competitiveness and employment. The scheme, known as “France Relaunch,” aims to stimulate recovery in jobs, unemployment and prepare the nation for an ever-changing global future.

France’s economy has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, shrinking by 9.9% in 2020. During the second quarter of 2020, France reported its largest economic decline in history, having a 13.8% drop. Even before this year, the nation’s recovery from the 2008 Global Financial Crisis was still being felt with slow economic growth and high rates of youth unemployment. A strict lockdown in March has meant the closure of several non-essential businesses and a large reduction in revenue and household consumption.

The “France Relaunch” policy aims to address the current economic downturn, encouraging greater investment opportunities. The campaign devotes approximately 30 billion euros to environmental causes. These specifically include investment into renewable energy, more energy efficient housing and the use of hydrogen as a form of energy. In the long term, the programs aims to promote greater investment into green technologies, ensuring sustainable environments. A major benefit of “France Relaunch” is the fact that it primarily focuses on stimulating investment into the country, welcoming new technologies, skills and people from the international community whilst also empowering local workers who can learn from the knowledge transfer. Minister for Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili, noted that the plan was a “giant step to ecological transition in France.” Castex stated that the alternative to large government spending was an “explosion of unemployment, poverty and human tragedy.” This policy, Castex claimed, “lays the ground for the future.”

However, the effectiveness of the plan has been questioned by environmental groups. Le Réseau Action Climat noted that the government’s ecological transition had “l’ambigüité de l’engagement,” with the plan placing a two-year limitation on government assistance to businesses and industries. This sets significant short-term pressure on sustainability transitions, raising doubts about the feasibility of a radical environmental overhaul in 24 months. The limited existing ecological infrastructure currently in place, as well as the lack of long-term incentives for businesses, can make the government’s targets difficult to achieve.

Overall though, the French government’s focus on renewable energy is highly promising. Investment into sustainable and green energy and re-use helps to rapidly prepare France for an ever-changing future. A focus on ecological conservation will, in the short term, come at a large economic cost. However, the long-term effect of having more energy-efficient industries can mean increased capabilities in combatting the unpredictable consequences of climate change. A plan that not only addresses the undoubtedly serious economic impact of Covid-19, but also maintains a forward-focused vision, will prepare the nation for future environmental challenges to come.