"I see this pact as a way of bringing together experienced and less experienced people towards a common goal"

Like many of the first signatories of the National Pact for Energy Transition, I made a commitment, quite a while back, to putting actions in place to reduce my carbon footprint. I see this pact as a way of bringing together experienced and less experienced people towards a common goal, by sharing both simple and innovative ideas. As for me, I put in place simple actions and made changes little by little. I sort my rubbish, I use reusable bags instead of plastic ones, I replace disposable utensils and accessories with washable ones, etc. A much wider range of solutions is available than before for putting such actions in place easily and, without great cost. Apart from the quality of a product itself, I now pay much more attention to the amount of packaging it is sold with. When it’s possible, I increasingly try to buy stuff loose. I also pay attention to the origin of the products I buy, by prioritizing seasonal fruit and vegetables that are ideally locally produced, or otherwise from neighbouring countries (France / Italy).

I am also conscious of food wastage. When I eat out, if I don't finish my meal, I ask for a “petite boite” – also known as a “doggy bag” – so I can bring the rest home, instead of it being thrown in the bin. The next step for me will be to provide this little container myself to avoid having to use disposable packaging, even if it’s cardboard. On a daily basis, I really try to share these simple practices with those around me and I am delighted to see that, by starting with very small things, habits are quickly formed and lead to other commitments. It is also essential to educate children from an early age by setting up these types of initiatives in nurseries and schools to ensure that such practices are maintained over time. - Laurie Giacobi