They came from Perpignan, Yvelines or Martinique: 200 young people are brought together for four days by the government to express themselves on the energy choices of tomorrow, with the hope, all in all moderate, that their voice will be heard. This “Youth Forum” closes a public consultation on energy in France, initiated before Parliament legislates on the subject, at best this summer.
Friday, Lionel, Victoire and the others met for the second day in a row, in a large room at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris. Around the round tables, the atmosphere is studious, which does not prevent discussions from becoming lively. The day before, they heard climatologist Valérie Masson-Delmotte give them a picture of climate change, then they studied the energy transition scenarios that would allow France to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050.
“We hope to be heard”
From now on, time for the debate on energy consumption: how to curb fast fashion, reduce the needs of the building or what alternatives to the car? Before a Saturday devoted to production: renewables, nuclear… At each table, a facilitator notes and an expert, from Ademe, the ecological transition agency, the Négawatt association or even the Ministry of Energy Transition, answers questions.
“We feel useful, we hope to be heard,” says Aliciane Horvat, an 18-year-old high school student from Perpignan, originally contacted by Ifop. Maeva Guannel, a 27-year-old merchant from Martinique, responded to an announcement to participate, to make the voice of the overseas departments heard, and to respond to “the climate emergency”: “we must make better use of our resources, extend the lifespan of wind turbines, solar panels…”
“The Citizens’ Climate Convention has been ignored, why shouldn’t we be? »
But within the diversity of profiles gathered, one question is on everyone’s lips: what is this forum for? “The Senate is already considering a nuclear acceleration bill. So we asked “what’s the point?” to the Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who came on Friday, says Tim Cécillon. “The Citizens’ Climate Convention has been ignored, why shouldn’t we be? “Adds this 24-year-old auto-entrepreneur, for whom the youth is “more and more nervous”: “We know the urgency. But why are we not doing anything? Why do we ask young people, when we have the solutions? »
In 2020, most of the recommendations of the climate convention had not been taken up. “We are told “we will listen to you”. Cool ! But will we be heard? “, supports Clément Olivier, a 27-year-old engineer from Annecy, happy despite everything to” be able to discuss “. For Yves Marignac, of the pro-sobriety association Négawatt, such exchanges are “essential, whether the government does something about it or not. Because the energy transition is the opposite of technocracy: it requires everyone to take ownership of the challenges and solutions”.
In addition to this government consultation, a public debate, under the aegis of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP), is underway on the project for new EDF nuclear reactors. This week the organizers of this debate, including the president of the CNDP Chantal Jouanno, were alarmed by the discussions held in the Senate which would like to decide to relaunch the atom before having heard the citizens.
On LCI on Friday, Agnès Pannier-Runacher assured that the “debate is intended to take place before decisions are made”. The Minister will again meet with the participants of the “Youth Forum” on Sunday. Parliamentarians are also invited to come and listen to the conclusions.