Welcome to a region in transition, committed to the environment and the social economy. So many challenges – and opportunities! – for the competitiveness and attractiveness of our businesses. Clermont Auvergne Métropole supports and stimulates local energies: it has made environmental and societal commitment the priority of its strategic economic roadmap up to 2030.

A committed economy

Ready to take the plunge into a positive-impact business? Then you’ve come to the right place! Against a backdrop of environmental and societal challenges, Clermont Auvergne Métropole has embarked on its transition… and is supporting companies that are making the same commitment. What does this mean in concrete terms? Clermont Auvergne encourages and facilitates initiatives that are good for the environment and good for people. Those that promote a resilient and regenerative economy: more circular, social and supportive. We’re here to fuel your good ideas and help you take the plunge or stay the course!

First, the Human!

Clermont Auvergne Métropole aspires to a more united and inclusive territory, where people remain at the heart of economic concerns. That’s why it supports the development of the social and solidarity economy (SSE), by providing financial backing for associations and local initiatives that promote social innovation. At the heart of its organization, the Métropole also has a unit tasked with facilitating the use of social integration on major public works sites where social criteria are involved.

The aim of the “social clause facilitators”, these very special agents at the service of positive social impact: to help companies respond to contracts involving social clauses AND to offer them recruitment solutions in sectors chronically short of manpower. Did you say win-win? And you’re right: this is Clermont-Ferrand!

14% of theregion’s economic activity is in the SSE sector
120,000 foressential local structures
47,500€ fornew third-party sites
95,000 tosupport the growth of Scops (cooperative production companies)

Convention des entreprises pour le climat, Made in Massif central

Did you know that the Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat (CEC), which brings together over 1,000 business leaders from all over France, was born in the Massif Central? The Metropole subsidizes this association, which is speeding up the transition of the region and its economy, by helping companies to change their business models.
A powerful local success story, which has just launched its second Massif Central course: who better to take by the hand to “transition” radically?

18 organizations in the metropolis have already committed to the 2025 pathway of the Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat Massif Central.

38 organizations have already completed the 2024 course

Green challenges and good ideas

Going green is good. Not going it alone is better. The Metropole supports and makes visible events that help change. For example?

Eco-challenges from the Chamber of Trades and Crafts and Clermont Auvergne Métropole for artisans and retailers. The reward? A label recognized by Ademe (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency) to promote initiatives in the fields of waste management, water, mobility, energy, etc.
A series of podcasts, based on discussions with entrepreneurs who share their concerns and explore avenues for collective action to strengthen the region’s resilience.
A future local network to promote the development of the circular economy in the Puy-de-Dôme region.

A favorable environment

Anticipating change means preparing for the future! The Metropole is putting its economic hubs, infrastructures and sectors in tune with the transition: redevelopment of business parks, cycling and public transport networks to better connect places to live and places to work, incubators, sectors of excellence… Your business environment is going green to make the transition easier for you.

More sustainable economic hubs

The North and Ladoux economic hubs, the Lempdes, Cournon-Le-Cendre and Clermont Sud-Aubière business parks… The redevelopment of the metropolitan area’s economic hubs has begun. The aim is to create infrastructures that reduce the carbon footprint, improve connections to public transport and the cycle network, provide greenery and nature… In short, an attractive environment for companies and their employees.

Did you say ecosystem? Bingo!

Clermont Auvergne Métropole has all the ingredients needed to help companies move into the future, and to encourage the collective emulation of local players.

The metropolis has seven sectors of excellence, three of which are specifically geared to the transition: sustainable mobility, renewable energies, the circular economy and sustainable materials.
To nurture good ideas for social innovation, the Metropole finances two dedicated incubators: Cocoshaker and Alter’incub.
Because there’s strength in numbers when it comes to eco-design, eco-efficiency and renewable raw materials, the Axelera competitiveness cluster is helping to nurture cooperative ventures in support of the transition.
In the heart of Cataroux Park, Michelin’s historic site currently undergoing a complete metamorphosis, the Sustainable Materials Center welcomes and nurtures start-ups working on tomorrow’s revolutions.
And because environmental, social, digital and cultural challenges are emerging all over the world, the international network of Michelin cities encourages cooperative innovation and creativity to lead the ecological and social transition.

400members
600 projectsfinanced and accredited by Axelera
175entrepreneurs
142social innovationprojectssupported by Cocoshaker

Financing the transition

Decarbonizing our means of production, transport and energy comes at a cost… even if it’s an investment in the future. Guess what? Clermont Auvergne Métropole is multiplying its assistance to support your projects directly.

Industrial reconquest in green team mode

The Metropole has been awarded the ” Territoire d’industrie” label. No surprise there.

What you may be less aware of is that this label opens the doors to the “Territoire d’industrie en transition écologique” green fund for financing ecological transition projects or expenditure on industrialization, renovation, decarbonization and improvement of production tools.

Tailor-made packages

When it comes to the environment and social progress, Clermont Auvergne Métropole doesn’t beat about the bush: all roads lead to transition. To achieve this, the Metropole has just adopted a new economic roadmap to match its ambitions. In the pipeline:

A “decarbonation pack” that brings together all our support for environmental transition: assistance with the purchase of electric or low-emission vehicles to adapt to the EPZ, assistance with the financing of renewable heat projects through the Chaleur+ Demain scheme, support for the implementation of an employer travel plan via the Syndicat mixte des transports en commun (SMTC).

A “positive social impact” package that includes the Coup de Pouce call for projects to encourage the setting up of local shops and craft businesses in the town centers of the metropolis and the priority districts of Clermont-Ferrand, Recrut’senior which subsidizes the hiring of employees over 50, aid for the prevention of business difficulties, and aid for the development of third-party premises and Scops.

N°3 | Transitions underway