environ conscient

You use this phrase to describe a person, a lifestyle, or even a brand. If you are talking about yourself, you say Je suis éco-conscient. If you are talking about a woman, remember to add an 'e' at the end: éco-consciente. It works just like any other adjective. You can place it after the noun. For example, un consommateur éco-conscient. It is a great way to show you care about the future. It sounds a bit more intellectual than just saying you are 'green.'

This is perfect for social situations where the environment comes up. Use it at a dinner party when someone asks why you don't eat meat. Use it at work when suggesting the office should stop using plastic cups. It is also very common in marketing and social media. If you are posting a photo of your new reusable water bottle, this is the term to use. It fits well in both casual conversations and professional discussions about sustainability.

Do not use the literal translation environ conscient. To a French ear, that sounds like you are 'approximately conscious,' like you just woke up from a nap! Also, avoid using it to describe nature itself. A forest isn't éco-conscient; only a person or an organization can be. If you are in a very formal legal setting, you might prefer éco-responsable, which sounds a bit more official and legally binding.

France has undergone a massive 'green' shift in the last decade. Paris is transforming into a city of bikes. Supermarkets have banned single-use plastic bags. There is a huge cultural movement called 'Zéro Déchet' (Zero Waste). Being éco-conscient is no longer a niche hobby for hippies; it is a mainstream expectation. In many French cities, if you don't recycle correctly, your neighbors might give you a very 'French' look of disapproval. It is part of the modern French identity to be 'engagé' (committed) to the planet.

The most common variation is éco-responsable. This is used everywhere from clothing labels to government speeches. You might also hear soucieux de l'environnement, which is a bit more formal. If someone is very extreme about it, people might jokingly call them an éco-bobo (an eco-friendly bourgeois-bohemian). On the simpler side, you can just say someone is vert (green), but éco-conscient shows you have actually put thought into your lifestyle choices.