Newsletter summer 2026 : Summer has only just begun, yet the lessons are already pouring in.

Summer has only just begun, yet the lessons are already pouring in.

As early as the end of May, an exceptional heatwave disrupted our perception of climate risk. France recorded its hottest May day ever, while more than 350 municipalities broke their temperature records for the month of May. In Western Europe, average temperatures locally exceeded seasonal norms by more than 10°C.

June confirmed this trend. France recorded hundreds of national heat records, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many regions and tens of millions of people affected by heatwave alerts. What was still considered exceptional just a few years ago is progressively becoming our new normality.

The debate is no longer about whether climate change will impact our organizations. The question is now: are we ready to adapt?

From Climate Urgency to Corporate Adaptation

Faced with this reality, companies must now answer two questions:

• What are the most critical climate risks for our business?
• What actions must we implement today to strengthen our resilience?

Very often—and paradoxically—we observe that climate risk is viewed primarily through a patrimonial and financial lens, while the human element is sidelined, even though regulations are evolving precisely for their sake! Since July 1, 2025, Decree No. 2025-482 has required employers to integrate risks related to episodes of intense heat into their Single Document for Occupational Risk Assessment (DUERP). Companies must now anticipate yellow, orange, or red vigilance alerts from Météo-France and plan appropriate measures: schedule adjustments, access to cool water, adaptation of workstations, protective equipment, or employee training.

What was once considered exceptional prevention must progressively become a matter of routine management. Climate change is no longer just about decarbonization targets; it is already modifying working conditions, operational risks, and employer obligations.

To address both human and strategic challenges, we have developed our method—HazClim®—structured around ISO 14090/14091 and operational risk management methods. This allows us to guide these choices pragmatically. You can train to integrate this method into your existing processes, or choose to be accompanied—especially for your first exercise—by us or by partner consulting firms trained in our method.

To meet all types of expectations, we have diversified our approaches to these issues and are now trained in the ACT Adaptation methodology.

2026: From Backlash to a Return to Fundamentals

For several months, we have observed a marked evolution in our clients’ expectations.

After a period strongly focused on regulatory compliance for the CSRD, which ultimately only concerns the largest groups, companies are returning to fundamental questions:

• What are our truly material issues?
• Where should we concentrate our resources?
• How do we demonstrate our performance to our clients and financial partners?
• How do we structure a credible roadmap useful for management?

The topics emerging most strongly today are:

• A need for pragmatic CSR roadmaps that respond to the company’s specific challenges rather than just regulation;
• Label assessments—led by EcoVadis—have regained importance;
• Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), to reflect and design products at the request of clients and financiers.

Decarbonization naturally remains a major strategic issue. We are continuing our commitment to several step-by-step ACT® initiatives and assessments, notably through the ACT Rhône Indus collective, supported in partnership with Axelera.

In a context of heatwaves and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, these projects must increasingly address resilience issues strategically. A gas/oil bottleneck poses medium-term problems that confront us with the contradictions of society and businesses:

• Too abundant, its use exacerbates climate change.
• Too scarce, it creates major societal and economic tensions. When there is a shortage, the emergency response is not necessarily the right one.

If you would like to know more, we have republished our Green Paper on Oil, “the father of all battles.”

Training and Cooperating to Accelerate the Transition

We are convinced that the transition depends as much on skills development as on cooperation between stakeholders. It is in this spirit that we are developing partnerships and training programs adapted to field needs.

The start of the academic year will likely bring multiple and significant announcements regarding this commitment with our partners… but we can already share a significant advancement! Because the most effective transformations are often those that rely on an ecosystem of actors sharing methods, feedback, and common ambitions, we are delighted to offer training courses designed for energy audit firms, in partnership with Smart Montagne and Go Performance.

And for the start of the year?

If the events of this first half of the year have confirmed anything, it is that adaptation and the transition can no longer be treated as peripheral issues.

We will be happy to discuss your adaptation, decarbonization, or CSR structuring challenges with you when the new term begins.

Have a wonderful summer, everyone, and take care of yourselves.