Elisabeth Borne says she is ready to "associate" young people with climate policies

Europe 1 with AFP 11:20 p.m., January 23, 2023

Elisabeth Borne said she was ready on Monday, during a meeting in Matignon, to "associate" young people with the preparation of public policies relating to the ecological transition.

"I hear (...) your request to associate yourself, not just punctually but continuously, with the preparation of policies on all these subjects", affirmed the Prime Minister at the end of a National Council of the refoundation (CNR) at Matignon devoted to youth and ecology.

"You can count on me and my government to go in that direction."

Environmental assessment 

After the launch in December of the youth CNR, the head of government will lead a total of five thematic CNRs such as the one on ecology, during which around thirty young people exchanged with five ministers: Pap Ndiaye (Education), Christophe Béchu (Ecological transition ), Sylvie Retailleau (Higher Education), Agnès Pannier-Runacher (Energy Transition), Sarah El Hairy (Youth).

The next ones will focus on daily life in February, professional future and equal opportunities in March and finally commitment and citizenship in April, before the presentation of a "roadmap".

The Prime Minister also retained the idea of ​​an assessment on the environment, on the model of the Toefl for English or the Pix on digital skills, to "measure where we are, each in their awareness, in its knowledge of these issues".

"Very violent actions"

She also promised to "look at how we can move forward" on the subject of free transport for young people, after the announcement on Sunday of 60,000 free train tickets between France and Germany.

Questioned by a young girl who found it "contradictory to seek to promote the commitment of young people on climate issues while criminalizing some of the people who engage" and who denounced the term "eco-terrorist" used by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, Élisabeth Borne assured that it was "not at all a question of pointing out the behavior of young people who demonstrate peacefully".

"What was in question is undoubtedly people who, on the sidelines of these demonstrations, arrive by not being militants at all (...) and who have very violent actions", replied the leader. of the government.

While participants suggested the development of applications on ecology, she praised Ecowatt, for its contribution to the 10% reduction in energy consumption, and the "small choices, small gestures" which can "allow us to make considerable leaps."