Testimonial from Lydie Ferre, a partner at La Graine, about our Biodiversity Training Program
"Working on real-world projects is what adds value to the training."
Lydie Ferre is a partner at La Graine, a consulting and innovation firm specializing in ecological transition based in the Pays de la Loire region. When she launched her firm, Lydie realized she needed to equip herself with the necessary tools to best support her client companies as they began to seriously engage with the still-underdeveloped topic of biodiversity and its associated impacts and dependencies. She therefore took the “Building Your Biodiversity Roadmap” training course in March 2025. Testimonial.
Can you tell us about your career path before the training program?
With a background in science, I worked for nearly twenty years in the industrial sector at small and medium-sized enterprises. I began my career at a major client in the agri-food industry, where innovation and agility were the watchwords.
For the next fifteen years, my career took me into the chemical industry, where I worked at a family-owned company with a 200-year history specializing in the production of candles and fragrances, first as a Product Manager and later as Head of Strategic and Operational Marketing. My role evolved significantly over time, and we spent a great deal of time reflecting on the ethics of our products—from the origin of raw materials and fragrances to environmental responsibility and circular economy principles.
In late 2020, I decided to leave that company to start my own business. I then trained in such fascinating topics as design thinking (where I worked on innovation aimed at ecosystem regeneration), eco-design, and the circular economy. That’s how I discovered biomimicry, a process that enables innovation by drawing inspiration from the natural world. I then realized that it was possible to bridge two worlds that, to me at the time, didn’t necessarily go hand in hand: the corporate world and the natural world.
I first started my own sole proprietorship before teaming up with four other entrepreneurs to found our consulting and innovation firm focused on ecological transition. Our mission is to support companies in addressing their challenges related to competitiveness and sustainability. All five of us are trained in collective intelligence practices—and some of us are even trained in executive coaching—and we offer a comprehensive range of strategic and operational consulting services. What drives me today is using the circular economy, biodiversity issues, and the principles of biomimicry as levers for innovation and action for businesses. Among our unique offerings, we have developed an ecological transition program called “Engagés par Nature” (Committed by Nature), designed to strengthen companies’ competitiveness and resilience. This program has received support from ADEME. We have also developed more immersive programs, such as the biomimicry walk, designed to help participants discover the principles of sustainability found in living ecosystems through forest experiences and connect them to the company’s operations via role-playing exercises, as well as seminars aboard a boat on the Loire River to raise awareness of businesses’ impacts on and dependence on biodiversity.
What were your professional challenges before the training?
I was looking to equip myself with diagnostic tools so I could truly grasp the topic of biodiversity, ensuring it wouldn’t remain too broad and abstract for the companies I wanted to support. I didn’t just want to raise awareness; I wanted to build our organization’s skills in using the ENCORE tool. At La Graine, we were missing this key tool to complement our existing offerings in awareness-raising, ideation, and roadmap development.
How did you find out about our training program?
After doing some research, my colleagues and I identified the training course “Building Your Biodiversity Roadmap.” I realized that there weren’t many training programs on the topic of biodiversity, and after comparing them, Carbone 4’s approach—which offers a systemic perspective on the subject rather than a purely “expert-driven” one—appealed to me more.
What aspects of the training made the biggest impression on you?
I was really impressed by the cross-company format: our promotional efforts were spot-on, and the number of participants made for rich discussions—it was incredibly valuable.
The focus on the ENCORE tool—which the BPI has identified as a benchmark tool—as well as the process of reflecting on and applying the concepts of dual materiality also convinced me. I hadn’t yet reached that level of expertise, and I’m pleased with what I’ve learned about these topics.
I also really liked the combination of the e-learning platform, the in-person session, and the virtual classroom sessions. The e-learning covers the prerequisites, which we then explore in greater depth during the in-person session. I found the practical application really interesting: we work on real-world scenarios and explore the ENCORE tool while keeping a company (whether our own or a fictional one) in mind, which makes it easier to put what we’ve learned into practice. Working on real-world scenarios is what adds value to the training, and I really enjoyed the teamwork aspect of the program.
What skills or knowledge did you gain from the training?
First, an understanding of the terminology—specifically, the concepts of physical risks and transition risks and how they differ. In addition, the training gave me the confidence to propose a double materiality analysis: I actually offered introductory workshops to some of my clients on their impacts on and dependence on biodiversity—something I wouldn’t have been able to do before the training. The feedback has been very positive!
Have you been able to raise awareness or provide training for your employees on these topics?
There is already a high level of internal awareness regarding biodiversity issues at La Graine; however, one of my colleagues saw the tools I developed after completing the training and observed how my services for our corporate clients have evolved, and was very pleased with them.
Who would you recommend this training course to, and why?
I recommend it to people who work with companies as facilitators or consultants, because I think it’s still difficult for medium-sized companies to incorporate these skills on top of everything else. Relying on a trained expert with experience across multiple industries allows them to take a step back and evaluate their practices. I see the added value in providing an outside perspective—which can sometimes be disruptive—with the goal of benefiting clients. in the end.
Any advice for those who are still hesitant to take the plunge?
For those who want to get a hands-on understanding of the concept of dual materiality and are looking to delve deeper into the topic of biodiversity: go for it without hesitation! The training is relevant in this regard and provides opportunities for theoretical and methodological exploration.
