Gilles Berdugo is a globetrotter, environmentalist, and founder of www.facilementecolo.com. His goal: to make the world a greener place.
While more and more NGOs express their dissatisfaction with the French government’s handling of climate and environmental issues, the latter has reportedly committed to implementing constitutional changes concerning environmental preservation.
Emmanuel Macron and the Citizens’ Convention for the Climate
In mid-December 2020, Emmanuel Macron met with the 150 members of the Citizens’ Convention for the Climate (CCC).
The demands of the Citizens’ Convention for the Climate — by Gilles Berdugo
The demands of the CCC are structured around the following four points:
- Placing ecology at the heart of the economy,
- Bridging the gap between ecological transition and social justice,
- Reshaping the territory with respect for living beings,
- Engaging civic responsibility.
Among the 149 proposals put forward by the Convention, 146 were accepted and only three were reportedly declined by the president. However, he agreed to allocate an additional 15 billion euros to promote the transition and ecological transformation of France over the next two years.
At the end of this meeting, Macron also announced his desire to hold a referendum on environmental issues, which unsurprisingly made waves both in France and internationally. This referendum could take place in 2022, just before the end of his term.
The Case of the Century: NGOs and Associations against the Executive Power
Meanwhile, numerous organizations have come together to file a lawsuit against the French government, accused of inaction in the face of the climate and ecological emergency.
An online petition “The Case of the Century” was launched in March 2019, gathering more than 2.3 million signatures across France. It was also signed and supported by Oxfam France, Greenpeace France, the Nicolas Hulot Foundation, and Notre Affaire à Tous…
On January 14, 2021, the case entered review under the judiciary. On February 3, 2021, the French state was found responsible for ecological harm. Stay tuned…
What is the situation today?
The journey ahead is long, the reactions are diverse and manifold, and the divide between eco-anxious individuals and climate skeptics is growing… but Macron and his government are considering moving forward by adopting significant constitutional changes regarding the environment.
While in 2016, Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreements, Macron greeted the new president of the United States, Joe Biden, who promised to rejoin during his electoral campaign, on Twitter. In the same wave, the new American president affirmed his desire to implement pro-climate measures, which had been removed by his predecessor.
To @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris.
Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people!
We are together.
We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 20, 2021
Towards a rise in ecological activism
Many associations and activist personalities are stepping up on the media scene to share a message that resonates with the citizens of the world. Starting with the young Greta Thunberg, who quickly became the face of the climate fight; or Extinction Rebellion, a movement that originated in London and has found sympathizers across Europe.
The climate, ecological, and environmental emergency is here. In response, governments of the world’s nations now have no choice but to work hand in hand with environmental activists, associations, scientists, and researchers to ensure that the planet we live on, and moreover, all living species, can survive.
