Minister of Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili at Cop26: “We have been addicted to fossil fuels for 200 years, change takes time” – L’Indépendant

Barbara Pompili, accompanied by the French Ambassador for Climate, Stéphane Crouzat, spoke from Glasgow at a key moment of this Cop26. Between the two weeks of this crucial meeting for the planet: “We are in the swing between the two weeks of the Cop and there, we negotiate until the last minute to” close “points of the Paris Agreement”, she says. In short, the negotiators are getting down to business. “The spirit of Paris is still there, wants to believe the minister. It was not won before the opening of this Cop. Now, we must provide proof of credibility for this agreement to be implemented. The stake is the decade to come, it will be crucial for the climate “.

“The spirit of Paris is still there, now we have to provide proof of credibility”

What role does France play at this Cop26 in Glasgow?

It works closely with the European Union. We wanted to bring the will not to lower the ambition of the Paris Agreement, which must remain at + 1.5 ° C (temperature rise – Editor’s note) and not go towards + 2 ° C. Beyond This ambition, we want to reach a global agreement with links between biodiversity and climate because solutions based on nature must be real answers, cheap and available without expensive technologies. It is also a question of adaptation to climate change and we can sense a real desire on the part of developing countries to move forward. We must think about the best way to support them financially when they initiate policies in this direction.

African countries are demanding more money to cope, what does the French government think?

Negotiations are underway, we have a commitment until 2025, next year we will negotiate the rest. We have the will to keep our commitments, but there will be delays because the United States has not paid what it owed.

This is the 100 billion dollars promised and of which only 80 billion seem to be provisioned …

Indeed, and today, to restore confidence, we must arrive as quickly as possible to the 100 billion initially planned, even if this is not the only lever to restore confidence.

Are you thinking of transparency mechanisms?

The Paris agreement can only work if we agree on it and on its article 6 on carbon markets. We have every interest in transparency being on these common bases.

France classifies natural gas as clean energy? “If we have to use a little to lower our greenhouse gas emissions, it is better than coal,” replied the Minister.

France calls for natural gas to be classified among clean energies …

Our top priority is reducing our greenhouse gases through a just and efficient transition. When countries like South Africa have 80% of their electricity mix based on coal, Poland 70%: how do we do without it? We are talking about territories impregnated with coal, with populations dependent on coal. How do we do ? I am very comfortable with that, we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and if we need a little gas to achieve this, it is better than coal. We can help these countries with back-up gas which is part of the transition. Let’s be honest intellectually: some countries are unable to lower their greenhouse gas without using a little extra gas.

And nuclear? Classified clean energy too?

It is not the same subject. This is the energy that emits the least greenhouse gases, but it is not a transitional energy to achieve the objectives by 2030 because we cannot build power plants quickly enough. For me, the absolute priority is the development of renewable energies coupled with sobriety. Nuclear power can be part of a low-carbon mix but not be a transitional energy.

“Nuclear power can be part of a low-carbon mix but not be a transitional energy”

France is one of the 20 countries which continue to help fossil fuels while an agreement is reached here …

Because we are in a different tempo: France has already made commitments on this a long time ago. We decided to get out of coal and gave a timetable for export guarantees (public support for business projects to exploit abroad – Editor’s note) of oil, in 2025, and gas in 2035. Moreover , I’m sure we won’t stay on 2035 for gas.

What about thermal cars? The end of their construction is still set for 2040 or could it be 2035?

When Nicolas Hulot announced 2040, it was a revolution! We have to make a transition in this area because we are a big car manufacturer. Territories will be strongly impacted, where there are foundries, subcontractors, the automotive industry, they must not be forgotten. I would point out that Great Britain is launching this campaign for 2035 when it produces few cars unlike us! But yes, we agree for 2035, even if there is still a debate on the question of hybrid vehicles.

“We have been addicted to fossil fuels for 200 years, change takes time”

France was nevertheless condemned for climate inaction …

The Council of State does not say that France has done nothing but that it has not yet achieved its objectives and it is true. We’ve been addicted to fossil fuels for 200 years. Changing is difficult and complicated, it takes time. We can also see what we have succeeded, the good bases like going from – 1% to – 2% of greenhouse gases thanks to the change of the oil-fired boilers, the insulation of the dwellings, Ma Prim’Rénov .. All is not perfect, but we continue to push to decarbonise and develop renewable sources. And I am not ashamed when I see what other countries are doing! In France, we have anti-wind turbines, anti-photovoltaics, anti-biogas … if I listen to them I do nothing more and I do not fulfill my role. When I hear the demagoguery fair right now, in debates for the presidential election … in “politician” there is “responsible”.

Do you think this Cop can be a success?

Whatever happens in Glasgow, we will have to continue our efforts, all the problems will not end after the Cop. This Cop26 is an important step that we must succeed but it remains a step.