New business models and innovations are driving climate solutions showcased at E-Day 2025
As climate and sustainability issues slip from the top of global headlines—overshadowed by economic pressures, political shifts, and geopolitical instability—some of the most important climate progress is being quietly driven by those who don’t just talk, but act: businesses.
At Jour E 2025, a flagship event organized by Bpifrance on 2 April 2025 at the Palais Rameau in Lille, the private sector emerged as a powerful force for environmental transformation.
The “E-Day” was intended to be “positive, collaborative and solutions-oriented”. These key words were amply borne out by the numerous events—while the major climate and environmental themes were never far away, they were above all a backdrop for a multitude of very concrete actions and advances, driven by the business world.
The event put a spotlight on concrete solutions and real-world climate innovations led by companies of all sizes. In a world hungry for hopeful, actionable narratives, the message was clear: while politics may falter, the business world is getting things done.
Bpifrance is a French public investment bank, whose mission is to finance and develop businesses; in particular, Bpifrance supports innovations and climate actions by small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-sized larger companies, in support of the public policies of the State and the regions.
The positioning of Jour E 2025 was therefore very clear: bringing together “committed business leaders wishing to take action and accelerate the ecological and energy transition”.
Discussion at Jour E took, at Lille’s Palais Rameau on 2 April 2025. Photo: 10 Billion Solutions / Christophe Rousse.
Businesses, the driving force behind the transition
The focus on the ecological and energy transition of businesses was reflected in a number of results and highlights. Several key themes served as common threads: discussions were organised around four major themes: biodiversity, green energy, circular economy & eco-design, and industry decarbonisation. Thematic tracks, such as Roadmap SME, Industry, Adaptation and Regulation, also featured on the program.
Finally, experts, opinion leaders and committed artists led interactive workshops, pitch sessions and masterclasses. Participants were able to co-construct concrete solutions and exchange experiences.
Concrete examples of business-led climate action
By way of example, one of the Masterclasses focused on the strategies that major contractors and SMEs are putting in place to accelerate their transitions together. Some of France’s biggest groups (SNCF and Orange) testified, alongside the SMEs working with them, to the far-reaching innovations that their collaboration and systemic approach to the issues at stake have enabled them to achieve. As a demonstration of a very concrete and beneficial impact: SNCF professional garments made from French linen (requiring only 115 litres of water per kilo, without irrigation) rather than imported cotton (requiring between 7000 and 29000 litres of water per kilo, with irrigation). Video in French:
Many companies of all sizes are setting an example about climate action, and can bring about fundamental changes in the economy as well as in climate and ecological narratives. Bpifrance’s E-Day demonstrated this once again.
