Can we afford not to use eco-gestures?

What is the potential role of these actions in reducing environmental impact? And what are the essential keys to deciphering these often misleading figures?

In the first part of this Synthèse, we propose an éclairage on the place of individual gestures in reducing human impacts. We begin by exploring how these actions are essential, albeit insufficient, if we are to achieve the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. Secondly, we provide an estimate of the orders of magnitude of the potential of co-generation actions in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it possible to distinguish between what can be done directly by everyone and what is limited to individuals who own their own home. In the second part, we focus on the communication issues surrounding these actions. Firstly, we highlight the importance of the discourses and narratives associated with them, in order to examine their potential to mobilise individuals and to forge links with the collective level of action. We then look at the inequalities in terms of contribution to climate change. This makes it possible to temper and differentiate the evidence drawn from data on GHG emissions, between countries and within countries, on the basis of income.

Publication date: 27 June 2023