By: Elizabeth S.
Photo from: Inside Out Project
France is one of ten countries that has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050. The country additionally hopes to have a circular economy, in which resources are used for as long as possible and waste is reused, by 2025. Despite its ambitious goals, France is not on track to achieve them. In fact, President Emmanuel Macron has been accused by some former supporters of making empty promises in tackling everything from sexism to Islamophobia to climate change.
Following the Gilets Jaunes’ (yellow vests) protests, a grassroots movement for economic justice that began in 2018 and opposed a tax increase on gasoline, Macron hoped a citizens’ assembly (in which a small number of citizens work together to solve issues) might create a more just and equitable plan to address the climate crisis.
With the goal of reducing France’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030, the government selected 150 citizens at random with the objective of “Defin[ing] measures that will be submitted directly either to a referendum, a vote in Parliament or implementation” (Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat).
The citizens participating in the “Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat,” between the ages of 16 and 80, were educated on many different aspects of the crisis and then asked to come up with specific policy suggestions. The program's uniqueness lies in the fact that citizens were asked to give solutions rather than opinions.
The convention began in October 2019, and was able to continue the convention in March by switching to Zoom. The citizens made sure to prioritize economic recovery and improving health while reducing greenhouse gas emissions; all while maintaining their focus on the underprivileged and most vulnerable.
As noted in the summary of their report issued in June, participants were made “aware of the pressing need for significant change in the way our society works and how we live” (members of the convention, 2020). With this in mind, they created a list of policy suggestions on transportation, consumption, living and housing, production and work, and food. To view all propositions, go here.
In a January 2020 Guardian article titled “Citizens' assembly ready to help Macron set French climate policies,” participant Sylvain Burquier, a 45-year-old advertising executive from Paris, said that he has become passionate about the unique experience of participating in a diverse group of people coming together to solve a problem. He went on to describe it as “remarkable and very touching” (Chrisafis, 2020).
He also said that the convention has “reignited his interest in politics and debate.” Multiple participants said they have taken actions to reduce their carbon footprint because of what they learned from the convention. In the convention’s report, the citizens said the experience had made them more attentive to and tolerant of others’ opinions.
Other countries have already been inspired by France’s convention. The UK held a citizen’s assembly on climate that finished in September, and Washington just announced that they will be the first state to hold their own citizens’ assembly on climate. Fighting climate change requires action from, and cooperation between, citizens and the government, which these assemblies encourage. Climate assemblies have the unique ability to fight polarization, misinformation, and the climate crisis at the same time.
Discussion Questions:
How could this model be recreated in your state or country?
Are there other issues that could be addressed in this way? Which ones?