Thursday, June 12, the Minister of Ecological Transition met with young people from the Ecological Civic Service and representatives of the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute. A meeting to observe the commitment against plastic pollution and to outline the goals for the coming months.
“This is the challenge” was certainly the most heard expression on the morning of June 12, on Neptune Beach, as plastic pollution was discussed. Opposite the Negresco, Agnès Pannier-Runacher met with those involved in ocean protection. The objective: to exchange ideas on preservation solutions and raising awareness about plastic pollution. This meeting was held alongside the UNOC-3 in Nice, as part of the presentation of the Plastic Plan 2025-2030.
A Minister in Action
Upon arriving at Neptune Beach, Agnès Pannier-Runacher was engaged by the young people from the Ecological Civic Service and the representatives of the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute. Waste was presented to her, and she was then invited to a workshop on microplastics. The goal was to understand how these macro-wastes mix with the natural environment and pollute it.
“We collected this waste with my daughter in ten minutes, over two square meters,” a researcher recounted to the minister, illustrating the alarming observation of pollution. This was followed by an exchange with those present on the topics of macro-wastes and ongoing civic actions.
The Experience of the Ecological Civic Service
The fight against plastic pollution takes shape through the Ecological Civic Service. At the service of the ocean, these young people participate in missions lasting several months. “It’s intensive with the UNOC but rewarding and necessary,” stated one of them.
This civic service is also an opportunity to find one’s path. “I have a background in humanities and it’s a course with few internships. This civic service mission allows me to be active and meet many people. I want to stay in the ocean research field,” explained one of the youths. “This mission has maintained my interest in research and also allows me to gain experience,” added another.
Youths giving their time in the name of the environment, for missions that might disappear. A press release from the UFCV, published on June 11, 2025, denounces the elimination of 15,000 civic service missions at the start of the 2025 academic year. A step back that undermines youth and weakens civic engagement.
The Minister of Ecological Transition nonetheless reiterated the importance of the missions assigned to these young people. “It’s a way to impart skills to young people but also to feed commitment dedicated to ecology. These are specialized, scientific missions, aimed at raising awareness and supporting all policies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of our human activities.”
Objectives Set by Agnès Pannier-Runacher
The key measure is the Plastic Plan 2025-2030. A plan to reduce plastic pollution, explained by the minister at this gathering. “It’s a plan aiming to reduce land pollution, mostly found in our oceans and marine beds. It is today’s general mobilization challenge. I announce that this plan will be developed by September, in consultation with all stakeholders,” she declared.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher then detailed the underlying objectives. “Reduce non-recyclable packaging, which accounts for 35% of all our plastic packaging. It’s intolerable. The second element is to raise citizens’ awareness to consume less plastic, especially single-use plastic. The third element is working with local authorities to improve sorting, collection, and recycling. With projects that can also be industrial by investing in plastic recycling units, to have solutions capable of addressing all bottlenecks.”
France is one of the worst performers in the European Union regarding plastic pollution. “We are 26th out of 27 member states, we can certainly do much better,” exclaimed the Minister of Ecological Transition. The European Commission also imposes a penalty on France due to its insufficient recycling of plastic waste. After this United Nations summit on the ocean and numerous discussions, it’s time for action. We must ride the wave.
