OApart from the law relating to green industry adopted on July 22 by the National Assembly, a set of texts relating to ecological planning is under discussion: those on the orientation of the agricultural future or even linked to the programming of energy and climate. It is essential that this large-scale legislative undertaking be at the service of the ecological emergency of our century: the regeneration of the living.
It seems crucial to recall this commitment, while another proposal at European level, that for the restoration of nature, had all the trouble to garner the support it deserves. However, supported by a large number of leading economic players, it highlights a key principle of our system: if our economic activities can lead to a degradation of natural capital, this reciprocally affects the performance of these same activities. This principle of double materiality therefore reminds us that it is essential to integrate nature into all of our decisions.
Today, agriculture is at the forefront of this threat. Thus, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 8% of current agricultural land will become climatically unsuitable by 2100, or even up to 30% according to the most pessimistic scenario resulting from the report “Impacts , Adaptation and Vulnerability”, dated February 2022.
For example, in France, the vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne hit by the intense late frost of 2022 recorded more than 2 billion euros in losses. Agriculture is only the leader of this phenomenon, and other sectors of the economy will be increasingly affected by the loss of our natural capital. To counter this, we make an open call to turn to a regenerative economy.
Transform the way of producing
Regeneration is generally used as a synonym for restoration, but it is slightly different as it also considers conceptual and economic approaches. The origin of the term comes from the scientific and biological world, where it is used to describe the ability of certain organisms to recreate parts of their body after being damaged. This is referred to as a “regenerative capacity”.
Conservation and restoration efforts, while crucial, are not enough. To halt and reverse biodiversity and habitat loss, we must transform the way we produce, use and consume goods, products, foodstuffs and services.
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