Solar Impulse, a foundation headed by the explorer Bertrand Piccard, is dedicated to solving the knowing/doing gap when it comes to environmental action. It collects innovative ideas for the environment that are pragmatic and economically viable- leading what it calls an “eco-realism” approach.

All 577 deputies received copy of these 50 ready-to-vote proposals and to keep the pressure on there was a guerilla campaign that accompanied them into the assembly, TV interviews fronted by Bertrand Piccard and a highly targeted OOH campaign close by the Parliament.

Solar Impulse, is a foundation headed by the explorer Bertrand Piccard, it is dedicated to solving the knowing gap when it comes to tackling environmental challenges by collecting and promoting innovative ideas that are pragmatic and economically viable- it leads what it calls “eco-realism” .

The issue is that in the clamour of different passionate voices on the environment subjects, the calm voice of eco-realism is difficult to be heard. We hear about the problem, but never the solutions. More than adding a voice to the debate, we needed an approach that enabled real change in laws.

Over two months ideas were transformed by legal and scientific experts into draft laws that were launched as “prêt a voter” or “ready-to-vote” for the French Parliament.

A limited edition of books were sent out to 577 newly elected MPs along with these pre-drafted legislation that MPs could use in debates in Parliament.

The creative idea was called “ Pret à Voter” or “Ready-to-Vote”. Instead of just informing the public about environmental ideas that can help shape the future, we removed one of the barriers to implementation, by actually pre-drafting the legislation to make them happen.

These 50 “Prêt à Voter” proposals became the vehicle of the idea both in terms of targeting newly elected MPs but also the general public through OOH and a social media campaign under the slogan “as the climate changes, laws should too”.

We focused on newly elected MPs from all parties, and their different political groupings. We were fortunate to have one of the biggest renewal of the French national assembly in post war history. New faces ready to build a legacy but confronted by the notoriously slow French law-making machine.

We helped speed things up by giving each of them drafted, “ready to vote” laws and amendments thereby providing an effective catalyst for concrete debate.

To keep stimulate the debate, we also targeted public opinion and the Assembly with OOH, social media and TV interviews with Bertrand Piccard. It became a real subject for journalists, a refreshingly pragmatic approach to the future. Under the slogan “as the climate is changing, the laws should too”.

The campaign began in July when they were taking their seats, more than lobbying, it was about hacking or fast-tracking the fastidious French legislative process.

This campaign was launched July 5, 2022. An important date, because it comes after the nomination of new deputies of the National Assembly.

We first sent the "Prêt à Voter" to the 577 deputies of the National Assembly.

This mailing was accompanied by a letter from Bertrand Piccard explaining the approach.

In a second step we developed an OOH and DOOH campaign in strategic points around the National Assembly, but also the most frequented places in Paris. A social media campaign targeting the new deputies completed the approach.

So far 3 “ready-to-vote” amendments and laws have been fast-tracked into the latest environment bill, (almost word-for-word) covering energy generation through floating solar facilities, use of agricultural land for energy provision and geothermal energy. 9 more are being debated in Parliament, an environmental law is being debated in the Swiss Federal Parliament and there is one in development for European Parliament.

This campaign was successful, real and concrete. We are not talking about changes in attitudes, alerting influencers about the environment, we are talking about re-writing laws in France and Europe, fast-tracking the slow legal machine.

So far 3 legislative proposals from Prêt à Voter have been adopted word for word, integrated into the Renewable Energy bill of the French Government. There is momentum for further concrete change, with 9 other ready-to-vote proposals are being debated in the Senate, 1 is being scrutinized for the Swiss Parliament and an environmental law is submitted to the European Union.

Bertrand Piccard and the Foundation's team went to meet with different political groupings of elected officials to assist them in their efforts to amend legislation.

The Ready-to-vote method unites the worlds of innovation and politics to facilitate the emergence of today's solutions for ecological transition.

Now that’s something that the world needs right now