Workgroups

The first phase was dedicated to dialogue and proposal development within workgroups (see workgroup reports).

Six workgroups were organised for this phase around the following themes:
 "Fight climate change and control energy demand"
 "Preserve biodiversity and natural resources"
 "Create an environment conducive to health"
 "Adopt sustainable modes of production and consumption"
 "Construct a green democracy"
 "Promote green development favouring employment and competitiveness"

The workgroups were composed of 40 members divided into 5 panels.
The purpose of these panels was to represent the stakeholders in sustainable development: the French State, local authorities, NGOs, employers, and employees.

The workgroups were led by qualified independent figures with widely acknowledged skills and experience. Their mission was to propose measures and identify any obstacles.

Their objective was to shape the plan which participants would then examine in October. For each action proposal, all types of obstacles (legal, social, budgetary, technical) were defined, as well as the means to overcome them. It goes without saying that the groups integrated specific questions on overseas France into their discussions, as well as the international dimension of the issues addressed.