The summit of Mont-Blanc in the Alps (illustration). - ALLILI MOURAD / SIPA

Emmanuel Macron will announce measures on Thursday to further protect the Mont-Blanc massif, in particular against the incivilities committed in the ascent of the highest peak in Europe, and to preserve biodiversity, the Elysée said on Tuesday. The Head of State will make these announcements during a trip on these themes in the Alps, where he will meet with specialists in global warming and will visit the Mer de Glace, in the Chamonix valley.

Thursday, after visiting the famous glacier at the foot of Mont-Blanc which has dramatically declined in recent years, he will deliver a speech in Chamonix on his vision of action to preserve biodiversity, mentioning protected areas, urban sprawl or the artificialisation of soils, according to the Elysée.

Prefectural order for natural protection

This trip to the Alps will be preceded by the holding of the 4th Ecological Defense Council for the quinquennium on Wednesday. “We now see and live the consequences of climate change throughout the year. We are fighting against the causes of this deregulation, but we must also adapt to it. The government will present measures in this direction this week, "Elisabeth Borne said in a tweet on Monday.

We now see and live the consequences of #climate disruption throughout the year. We are fighting against the causes of this # deregulation, but we must also adapt to it. The government will present measures to this effect this week. https://t.co/jAL5LcB1aG

- Elisabeth BORNE (@Elisabeth_Borne) February 10, 2020

Mont Blanc, which rises to 4,809 m, will be notably more protected by the entry into force of a prefectural decree of natural protection, which will strengthen the rules on attendance, especially during the summer period. Emmanuel Macron was alerted by an open letter sent to him in September by the mayor of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex. “Mr. President, taking care of the forests in the Amazon is very good. Ignoring what is happening on Mont-Blanc and allowing disrespect to continue is not tolerable, ”he wrote.

Several incongruities

In recent summers, several incongruities have come to mark the ascent of Mont Blanc: the landing of a tourist plane not far from the summit so that two Swiss mountaineers only have to climb the last meters, a Briton who had climbed a rower but not managed to descend it, Latvians who had tried to raise a 10-meter mast to float their flag there…

But these few cases, publicized through social networks, concern only a handful of the approximately 20,000 people attempting the ascent. The authorities have also decided to make reservation in a refuge compulsory, in particular to combat wild bivouacs, which are prohibited on this classified site.

Accompanied by the Minister of Ecological Transition Elisabeth Borne and the Secretary of State Emmanuelle Wargon, Emmanuel Macron will examine the impact of global warming on alpine biodiversity during a dinner shared on Wednesday evening in a refuge with experts like Jean Jouzel, Bernard Chevassus-au-Louis or Camille Parmesan. It is also expected, by local associations, on air quality problems in the Arve valley, the place of passage of very many heavy goods vehicles.

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  • Emmanuel Macron
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  • Mont Blanc