By financing the economic development the banker is faced daily with the conflicts which can exist between the three - economic, environmental and social - dimensions of sustainable development. Our role is primarily to finance commercial exchange and to foster economic development. We do not devise the industrial policies that are implemented. At the same time we cannot disregard the environmental or social impacts of the projects we finance.

The challenge of sustainable development is now particularly acute on the front of global warming. I feel that it is not as much growth that needs to be questioned - how could we refuse it to developing countries? - but rather the nature of such growth. The requirement of more sustainable growth is now forcing itself upon all our clients whom we must assist. 

We prioritize concrete, useful action over more spectacular moves. For example, we try to be a promoter and leader in devising market standards, such as the Equator Principles or Climate Principles. Our approach involves working with other banks to build a joint vision.

This cooperation spirit, this exchange and good practice sharing puts us in a long term perspective. By participating to the definition of clear, as wide encompassing as possible, standards we feel that our action is particularly efficient and useful both for the planet and for all our customers.

The current crisis is often considered – sometimes quite rightly so – as a brake to some necessary action and investments. At the same time, it is making us more humble and aware of what could be for instance the consequences of a major climate crisis if we do not rapidly reduce our environmental footprint.

It also enables to tackle matters which were still taboo yesterday such as business trips. Today, every one is of the opinion that it is normal to cut costs. I believe that by speeding up change, the crisis can have beneficial consequences for sustainable development. Providing of course we remain vigilant…

We continue to take into account the environmental and social impacts of our loans and investments in our transaction analysis and management procedures.

On the other hand following the adoption of the Climate Principles by the Crédit Agricole s.a. Group, we are working on a more precise identification of the stakes of global warming from both a threats and opportunities viewpoint. Always with an essential question: how can we, in our role as bankers, assist even better our clients and consequently the society in front of this collective challenge? We particularly plan to promote Corporate Social Responsibility in the area of energy.

Lastly, we start to work on a Company Mobility Plan2009 phases of the Company Mobility Plan:
- January: collection of information on employees' journeys, business trips, mail and car parks,
- April: collection of employees' expectations through a questionnaire,
- End of June: setting objectives in terms of the reduction of emissions of CO2,
- H2: proposal of an action plan to the Executive Management,
- September: implementation of measures decided by Executive Management.
 for regarding Head Office employees.