Embedding sufficiency into long-term climate and energy planning in Grenoble

Grenoble, EU Green Capital 2022, has long been at the forefront of the sustainability movement aiming to reduce energy consumption and transform itself into a low-carbon and resilient city. With its “Air Energy and Climate Action Plan 2023–2027” adopted in 2023 by the municipality, Grenoble has set itself a new target: reducing energy consumption by 50% between 2012 and 2040. As part of this effort, the city introduced its “Plan Lumière” in 2015, encompassing both energy efficiency and sufficiency measures, and succeeded in halving consumption from public lighting.

Increasing sufficiency efforts in response to the energy crisis

On top of its existing plans, the city adopted a comprehensive energy sufficiency plan in September 2022, establishing 25 new energy-saving measures to limit soaring energy bills and the risk of supply disruptions. 

The measures encompass a range of areas, from reducing temperatures in municipal buildings to public lighting, and include optimisation of the city’s vehicle fleet, with an increase in bicycle use. The modification of heating programmes, the adjustment of temperatures in various buildings and the reprogramming of lighting systems represented a major challenge for the city. 

Looking ahead: from sectoral to structural sufficiency

Since 2021, the city has been actively involved in a process known as “Grenoble 2040”, outlining a possible vision of a desirable and “sufficient” city. This collaborative initiative involves engaging with citizens to discuss changes to public services. 

The increased focus on sufficiency has prompted Grenoble to also re-evaluate its priorities. For example, the municipal administration opted to consolidate two neighbouring initiatives: the construction of a new school and a community centre. The city constructed the school while incorporating dedicated rooms and spaces for community centre activities. Applying the sufficiency concept to their land use strategy, the committee responsible for allocating premises to associations consistently seeks to maximise land use. 

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