In recent years, numerous initiatives have emerged to raise awareness about the climate crisis among individuals and groups. Among these, the Climate Fresk has made a significant impact. However, I recently had the opportunity to participate in a different yet complementary workshop: 2 Tonnes. This unique concept offers a dynamic and constructive approach to exploring how we can collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a sustainable level by 2050.
2 Tonnes: Understanding to Act
The workshop is named after a concrete goal: reducing individual carbon emissions to 2 tonnes of CO2 per year—a threshold aligned with planetary boundaries. Originally developed in France, the tool has been tailored to the Quebec context with the expertise of the CIRAIG (International Reference Center for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes, and Services), making the experience even more relevant to our local realities.
The Philosophy: Blending Play and Reality
The workshop is built on a collaborative simulation, where participants work together to reduce emissions while considering economic, social, and environmental constraints. Inspired by Kate Raworth's doughnut model, which integrates planetary boundaries and human needs, it uses solid data to propose short-, medium-, and long-term action scenarios. Unlike other initiatives focused solely on individual actions, 2 Tonnes also delves into collective and systemic levers, such as public policies and industrial prioritization.
A 3-Hour Experience: Immersed in Climate Decisions
From the very start of the workshop, I was impressed by its thoughtful design and the quality of facilitation. We were about ten participants around the table, including several sustainability experts, which enriched the discussions. The atmosphere was participative, dynamic, and welcoming.
The workshop began with an introduction to the current context: where we stand today and what achieving 2 tonnes of emissions per year truly means. Then, over several rounds, we were tasked with making choices: reducing fossil fuel usage, prioritizing certain public policies, adopting technological innovations... Each decision had a measurable impact on the trajectory of our global emissions.
What I particularly appreciated was that individual actions were not isolated from collective decisions. While habits like waste sorting or consuming local products were mentioned, the workshop went far beyond that. It highlighted the critical importance of systemic decisions: energy policies, industrial transformations, and the role of businesses.
A Workshop That Recharged Me
As a sustainability expert, I must admit that I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges we face. This workshop was a breath of fresh air. It gave me a renewed sense of optimism, showing that, even in a world with finite resources, every decision matters and can drive progress. Working with concrete data in a collaborative setting, while exploring future trajectories, reminded me why I am committed to these issues: because together, we can move the needle.
The approach is accessible yet not simplistic. It sparks rich discussions where participants collectively measure the impact of their choices. Of course, like any simulation, the workshop has its limits—some of the solutions presented weren’t ones I would have personally recommended, especially with a group already well-versed in sustainability. However, this did not diminish the value of the experience.
An Invitation to Act
In the end, 2 Tonnes is more than just a workshop. It’s a powerful tool to raise awareness, mobilize, and inspire concrete action. Whether you’re a citizen, decision-maker, or simply curious, I highly recommend experiencing it. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the issues and, most importantly, the desire and tools to act—both individually and collectively.
To learn more about the workshop, its data, and its model, visit their official website: https://en.2tonnes.org/
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