This is a very interesting book that succeeds in addressing an essential and complex subject in an educational and simple way to stimulate the reader’s reflection; after recalling the unavoidable nature of reducing the carbon footprint if we want to control climate change, the author demonstrates the complexity of the problem. This includes problems of measuring the actual carbon consumption of a given entity; for example, how to assess the impact of a company’s decisions on the carbon footprint of its subcontractors? Conversely, who should bear the carbon cost or benefit of a change in specifications, at the initiative of a subcontractor? The complexity of the problem also lies in the collection of data necessary to measure carbon consumption, which covers a vast and varied field such as paper consumption and its link with deforestation, business trips by plane, etc. The list would be long if we wanted to be exhaustive. Faced with this complexity, what concrete actions can be taken? Here, too, the author highlights the difficulty of measuring the “ROI” of a given investment in reducing the carbon footprint. An investment in energy transition to electricity can miss its target, if overconsumption leads to the reactivation of coal-fired power plants. Experiments to reduce the energy consumption of a population show, in many cases, an increase in energy consumption, contrary to the desired objective. The explanation is that the gains in energy efficiency can be offset by an increase in consumption, with prices remaining stable.
The author’s general conclusion is that the battle will not be won by isolated actions within “small” nations and that it requires a multitude of actions framed in a global geopolitical scheme leading to a thorough review of business models, behaviors, and habits.
Note by Denis MOLHO
