Lifestyle changes to ensure a just transition to carbon neutrality
The 8th edition of the biannual European Energy Network event on the application of behavioural insights in energy efficiency and climate mitigation, BEHAVE, was held in December 2025 in France. This edition was organised by the French Agency for Ecological Transition, the ADEME, in collaboration with the European Energy Network, on the theme :
“From energy efficiency to energy sufficiency: the need for lifestyle changes to ensure a just transition to carbon neutrality”.
The event saw the participation of 400 participants from 30 countries over the two days of the event, with 130 speakers sharing insights on research and policy for behaviour change, new business models for ecological transition, social practices of sufficiency, and positive narratives on the event’s theme.
The conference was opened by the chairman of the ADEME, Sylvain Waserman, with a reminder on the collaborative efforts necessary to undertake the work on energy transition :
“Backlash forces are gaining ground. This is why, more than ever, our unity and our commitment are so important.”
The AENEAM project was also present at the conference, represented by the Critt Agroalimentaire Sud’s Yvan Deloche during a poster session, and during a conference session on the role of SMEs in the energy transition, “Empowering SMEs in Reaching Net Zero”. The discussion featured leading voices from: the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Portuguese Energy Agency (ADENE), the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), the Energy & Water Agency of Malta (EWA), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Efficiency in Industrial Processes (EEIP) network, and the Critt Agroalimentaire Sud.
SMEs make up 99% of businesses in Europe; their role in achieving net zero is critical and these companies must be accompanied and empowered to adopt the right strategies. Key themes of the conference session included practical strategies that SMEs can adopt to cut emissions, potential tools and frameworks that can make sustainability accessible, and inspiring examples of businesses that are turning climate goals into growth opportunities. It was the occasion to present actions undertaken during the AENEAM project to accompany SMEs on the path towards energy efficiency.
The conclusion shared by Nelson Lage at the close of the session :
“When behaviour, policy, and technical support move in the same direction, the energy transition stops being an abstract objective and becomes a shared, deliverable pathway.”
The takeaway? #NetZero isn’t just a compliance target, it’s a pathway to innovation, resilience, and competitiveness for SMEs.