Nicole Bartoli, previously known for her activism geared toward environmental preservation, is redefining her commitment to sustainability by launching her own consulting firm focused on ecological transition and sustainable development. This significant move was highlighted during her participation in the new conversation series ‘Un café avec,’ hosted by the Mayor of Béziers, Robert Ménard, at the local Biltoki market.
Having long harbored aspirations to immerse herself fully in the world of entrepreneurship, Bartoli declared, "Ça faisait longtemps que j’avais envie de me lancer dans l’entrepreneuriat économique. J’ai quitté mon emploi salarié en 2023 et je me suis lancée cette année, forte de mes cinq ans de militantisme, qui m’ont permis de développer mes compétences." Her transition from activism to consulting is bolstered by her five years of experience advocating for ecological causes, providing her with both the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle pressing environmental issues.
Recognizing the urgent nature of the climate crisis, Bartoli aims to translate her activist zeal for environmental protection "en actes concrets" (into concrete actions) rather than settling for mere talk. She addressed the lack of preparedness faced by communities and businesses amid the climate emergency and asserted the necessity of adopting sustainable practices proactively.
"La situation est vraiment grave. Si on n’agit pas, si on n’essaie pas de remettre en question nos modèles de production ou de consommation, on court à la catastrophe. L’écologie n’est pas punitive. La punition, ce sont les habitants de Valence qui l’ont subie… Il ne faut pas tout arrêter mais il faut revenir à des politiques de bon sens," she warned, indicating the dire forecasts for business-as-usual attitudes toward environmental challenges.
Bartoli emphasized the importance of constructive, rather than solely defensive, approaches to environmental issues. She believes it is not enough to merely advocate for environmental protection; it is equally important to facilitate actionable strategies for businesses, schools, and local authorities to engage with sustainability meaningfully. Through her firm, she aims to guide organizations and communities toward adopting sustainable development practices and adapting to the realities of climate change.
Continuing this theme, Bartoli is adamant about the need to prioritize local knowledge and skills, whether they be found within industry or agriculture. "Il faut mettre en avant les savoir-faire locaux, que ce soit dans le domaine de l’industrie ou de l’agriculture," she stated, calling for more initiatives grounded in local realities. This perspective is particularly poignant when considering egregious projects like the proposed golf course project in the drought-stricken Pyrénées-Orientales, showcasing her commitment to maintaining ecological integrity and sensibility.
With her recent affiliation with the Medef (Mouvement des entreprises de France), the French movement for businesses, Bartoli acknowledges the challenges lying ahead. Despite the substantial hurdles of instigational change, she reassured the public, saying, "Tout ne se fera pas en un claquement de doigts," which translates to, "Not everything will happen overnight." Her pragmatic approach combines skepticism with optimism, urging for collaboration over apathy.
Bartoli firmly believes, "Je ne prétends pas avoir réponse à tout, mais je travaille avec un réseau d’experts et je suis persuadée qu’en unissant nos expertises, on peut réussir à améliorer la situation." Energized by the potential for collaborative problem-solving, her firm aims to respond to the pressing challenges posed by climate change with focused support, participatory workshops, and informed consultations.
Through her commitment as both a consultant and activist, Nicole Bartoli is poised to drive meaningful change within her community and beyond, demonstrating how passion for the environment can translate effectively from advocacy to actionable consultation. With her ecological transition consulting firm, she aims to not only defend but to construct practical pathways toward sustainability.
