Today, the French socialist pink government includes two green ecologists: Cรฉcile Duflot and Pascal Canfin. Thus, EELV’s voice seems to be gaining ground in political debate at both the national and regional levels. In PACA, they count 18 regional councilors from the region’s 6 departments elected in March 2010. Already in action, they launch offensives in the most right-wing loyal region. A closer look at the eco-councilors’ work agenda.
A Region Aiming for Solidarity:
Let’s recall that the Ministry of Development replaces the former “Ministry of Cooperation”. The Ayrault government has opted for an “opening” and handed the reins to the ecologist Pascal Canfin, who can rely on Joelle Faguer, EELV regional councilor delegated to international solidarities, to implement the development policy in PACA.
The challenge is clear: engage local authorities in international relations. It is a “necessity and an obvious fact” for Joelle Faguer, who underscores the interdependence of the Northern and Southern countries. It’s a “challenge,” she says, aimed at preserving natural resources, protecting the environment, controlling epidemics, and ensuring financial and political stability. This passionate person guarantees that our region is truly engaged in international solidarity. It involves, among other things, humanitarian missions that are launched in areas of emergency such as Syria, where โฌ500,000 have been allocated to assist refugees.
Finally, in the field of development, Pascal Canfin, the deputy minister in charge of development, has placed sustainability at the heart of all issues. It is about meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the needs of future generations.
Regarding Housing, Ecologists are Determined:
The ecologist councilors in PACA wish to provide maximum responses to what they define as an “environmental and social emergency”. For Andrรฉ Aschieri, vice-president in charge of housing land assets, it’s primarily about “helping HLM organizations and municipalities to rehabilitate as many social housing units as possible” with the aim of reducing energy poverty, combating climate change, and creating new green jobs in the building sector. At this level, โฌ6.5 million in subsidies have already been allocated to the Alpes-Maritimes for 42 operations (Les Moulins, Bon Voyage, etc.), representing 2,100 renovated homes out of 11,000 in the whole region. Finally, the ecologist councilors intend to support local authorities in PACA to improve land control, thus combating urban sprawl, allowing the construction of new social housing, and preserving agricultural land to promote sustainable agriculture.
In Terms of Transport, Ecologists Are Firm:
Transportation and eco-mobility represent a priority for the ecologist councilors as it is the first budget of the PACA region, around โฌ400 million.
Jean Yves Petit, vice-president, delegated to transport and eco-mobility, describes the French rail system as “at the end of its rope”. For him, a “reform is necessary” to address all these issues. In response, he wants RFF (Rรฉseau ferrรฉ de France) and SNCF to join forces with the regions, the “primary users” of the rail network, to create proper coordination. Jean Yves Petit clearly opposes the proposed ticket price increase (suggested by SNCF) and refuses to have the regions contribute to paying RFF’s debt. His stance is unequivocal: “It would be absurd, while an urgent overhaul of this network is needed, to burden the Regions with the responsibility of a national policy that has left regional lines neglected, in favor of High-Speed Rail.” The EELV position regarding high-speed rail (LGV) is not ready to change: “no high-speed rail, but also no immobility”. Thus, they rather favor the establishment of a “regional high-performance network” that would fully meet the needs and expectations of the PACA region and would cost up to “4 times less”.
Nature, Their Moral Strength
Finally, in terms of biodiversity, Annabelle Jaeger is engaged in the region. Having worked alongside Nicolas Hulot, she reminds us that the PACA region is the richest in biodiversity in France. She wishes to help, support, raise awareness, and educate all societal actors to protect fauna and flora and ensure their development. The delegate for biodiversity rejoices at the creation of a RNR (regional nature reserve) that extends over 600 hectares in the Hautes-Alpes.
Finally, concerning energy, the PACA region is the first “solar” region in France in photovoltaics and second in solar thermal energy thanks to the “AGIR +” program.
In short, the ecologists are trying their best to exist in a region rather “locked” by the right and do not hesitate to unite against projects that would not respect the environmental and ecological capital of the PACA region. Four months after the socialist government’s installation, they are already making headlines and do not intend to stop there. A successful attempt to gradually change the terrestrial as well as the political landscape.