France Working Hard on End-to-End Cash Sustainability

The Banque de France (BdF) bulletin 250, article 5, describes its work on environmental sustainability1. The paper offers up a model for others to consider detailing BdF’s work on areas it controls directly, banknote paper and printing and its cash centres, and its collaborative work with others in the cash cycle. While some will not have the resources to build new facilities, the paper is full of specific changes of every size and type which others could consider.

In 2018 BdF developed its National Cash Management plan in conjunction with the Treasury, commercial banks, cash in transit (CIT) companies, consumer and retail associations. It is this plan which has driven its work to date and by the end of this year a new National Retail Payment Strategy 2025-30 will be in place that should include a section on environmental challenges.

In 2023 BdF launch its ‘Refondation’ plan to build a new print works.