The European Sustainable Development Week takes place from May 30th to June 5th. What’s the goal ? Facilitate individual forms of mobilization, individual and collective, in order to promote sustainable development and raise awareness of its issues. For this 2017 edition, the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations in 2015 are in the spotlight.
This is the start of a new Sustainable Week, during which many events are scheduled throughout Europe. In 2016, more than 300,000 citizens in 38 EU Member States and other European countries participated, with 4,146 initiatives, activities and events, including 1,661 in France.
This year again, a dedicated website, lists all the French projects – classified by themes or regions. “In Paris, for example, the 1.618 movement opens a concept store on sustainable luxury at La Corderie, in Paris, from June 1st to June 11th,” says Camille Lebret, Environment Project Manager at Altavia. About fifteen French and foreign brands from all areas of the lifestyle sector (design, mobility, gastronomy, new tech, fashion, jewelery, perfume …) will be present. Through its actions, 1,618 seeks to highlight that sustainable development is compatible with creation, quality and aesthetics. ”
Improving the lives of people around the world
The objective of this 2017 edition is to highlight the 17 sustainable development objectives (SDGs) set by the United Nations in September 2015 under the Sustainable Development Program to 2030. These 17 SDGs hold the challenges that must improve the lives of people everywhere: poverty eradication, food security and sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, quality education, equality between men and women …
“In France, actions are carried out by companies that are members of the Global Compact initiative, to achieve the 17 objectives of sustainable development,” says Camille Lebret. With regard to poverty eradication, for example, Essilor International, the world leader in ophthalmic optics, has set up a program to combat uncorrected vision, called Vision for life. “With an initial allocation of € 30 million, the program would be the world’s largest strategic charity commitment to fighting uncorrected vision.
Another example, linked to objective 7 “Clean and affordable energy”, is the energy access program, led by Schneider Electric. “Today, nearly 1.1 billion people – almost 1 in 5 people in the world – do not have access to energy,” says the World Energy Management Specialist And automation. By developing inclusive economic models, Schneider Electric contributes to reducing poverty while protecting the environment through an innovative and economically viable approach. ”
The Armor-Lux project, linked to the objective “Mode of consumption and sustainable production”, is equally remarkable. In 2011, the company of Breton origin was able to design, from plastic bottles, a polyester jacket recycled and recyclable for the City Hall of Paris.
“No impact week”
During this European Sustainable Development Week, the Mieux agency also organizes, for the 3rd year, No Impact Week. “Everything started with American blogger Colin Beavan, who experimented with his family on a lifestyle without ecological impact for a year in New York,” explains Camille Lebret. Thomas Parouty, founder of the Mieux agency, was inspired to organize within his company a week dedicated to the reduction of the carbon footprint. “For the 2017 edition, many actions, conferences and sharing of experiences are on the program. Why not start with the first challenge “During the European Sustainable Development Week, I collect with my colleagues at least 1 waste per day! “? Let’s participate!