It is a legitimate and interesting debate

A study paid for by the Ministry of ecology, widely relayed in the media (five columns to the one in "Les Echos" on 16 June), says that the Grenelle of the environment will create over 600,000 jobs.

Expenditures imposed by the Grenelle of the environment, which amounts to less than 40 billion euros per year, will indeed create many jobs in the building, in the rail industry in the production of photovoltaic panels, etc. Mr. Wauquiez, a few months ago, talking about 500,000 jobs. Mr Borloo is better. These figures are plausible estimates.

But they only tell half the story. Because they ignore the jobs that the measures imposed by the Grenelle will destroy. Where indeed come from the 40 billion will be spent Government 15 billion, households and businesses for the rest. 15 Billion euros of additional public expenditure are additional taxes that will reduce consumption by all. 25 Billion of compulsory expenditure of households and firms will avoir the same effect. We will consume more of TGV and isolation, but less than carrots, tyre, furniture or books. A more in-depth analysis would take into account the additional costs to consumers caused by wind energy pricing and the photovoltaic, which increase the invoice, and energy savings, which decreased. But, as a first approximation, it can be said that the round table will also reduce the consumption of 40 billion. And as a result the activity and employment.

How much There will be a good idea of the impact of a decrease in the consommation employment by dividing the number of jobs in the market sector by household consumption: it gets 18,000 jobs per billion euros of expenditure. 1 Billion euros of drinks less, is on average 18,000 fewer jobs. 40 billion euros of spending less, it is about 700,000 jobs disappearing. This is the other half of the story, on which the Ministry of ecology casts a veil discreet, although it is known whether its share of ignorance or manipulation. The Grenelle of the environment may create 600,000 jobs in the environmental sector, but it will destroy 700,000 in other sectors.

This eye gaze is usual France in public expenditure. All those who propose a new expense highlight thousands of jobs it will "create". If public expenditure "created" real jobs, the France, who is champion of the world of public expenditure (after the Korea of the North), count more unemployed for a long time!

In reality, the public expenditure does not create jobs and activities. She moves, from one sector to another. It changes the structure of the activity and the consommation. Expenditure imposed by the Act to households and businesses to work in the same way. Is well entitled to believe that the new distribution of activities, jobs and consumption induced by the Grenelle of the environment is more desirable than the old. It also has the right to believe the contrary. It is a legitimate and interesting debate.

But do not pollute it with half-truths that eventually make big lies and the true cramming. As wisdom said, it cannot have both butter and butter money, and the crémière top.