Is the “green economy” a mirage or a real source of work?
What is behind the 600 green jobs "promised" by the Grenelle Environment Forum? Decryption.
In June, a study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for the Ministry of Ecology showed that the Grenelle of the environment would create 600 jobs by 000, including 2020 for thermal renovation of buildings alone. But in an article published on July 392, Le Monde questioned the credibility of this figure, revealing that the main federations concerned by the Grenelle projects (building, public works, etc.) had not been consulted.
Converting back into the "green"
The BCG also recognized that these jobs were "created or maintained". A significant nuance ... However, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Ecology, Valérie Létard, said yesterday that this estimate could even amount to "700 or 000 jobs" if all the investments are made. Explanations from the interministerial delegate for sustainable development, Michèle Pappalardo: “We compared the study with those carried out by other countries during their recovery plans, and France is not the most optimistic. On the other hand, even if activities will disappear, the training will allow retraining in "green" jobs, which will therefore be many new jobs ... "
Beyond these quarrels, various experts consider the goal of 600 jobs realistic. According to the ADEME (Environment and Energy Management Agency), whose calculation methods are different, the energy efficiency of residential buildings should, according to its 000 edition, represent 2008 full-time equivalent jobs in 320, including 000 job creations. But that was without counting on the renovation of tertiary buildings (offices, commerce) or the boom in HLM renovations.
Another example: the Syndicate of renewable energies (SER) puts on 250 jobs created in 000, against 2020 in the BCG study. Provided, however, to maintain the purchase prices of “clean” electricity and not to jeopardize the development of wind power. Jean Philippe Roudil, general delegate of the SER is worried about Nicolas Sarkozy's public reluctance towards the energy of the wind, which according to him "scared off several investors". Despite the slowdown in demand, green energy companies are optimistic: "They are resisting bad economic conditions," says Thomas Gaudin, of Ademe.
Wood heating should take off
Example: after seeing its turnover increase by 25% between 2004 and 2007 (and the number of its employees by 19%, i.e. 49 people today), the Alsatian specialist in wood heating Fondis is certainly in recession this year. But he expects growth of 5 to 10% next year, and three to four hires.
Finally, Julien Allaire, economist at Gart (Grouping of authorities responsible for transport), estimates that going from 600 to 000 jobs in the public transport sector - the BCG expects 800 new jobs in 000 - is not a problem … Provided that the planned public investments (249 billion euros for the 000 km of high-speed line, 2018 billion for public transport) are there.
Source