The responsibility of local authorities in climate change action : the case of medium sized cities in France

Keywords: Responsability, climate change, local public action, medium sized cities
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 45

Abstract

The 2015 Paris Agreement affirms the role of cities in climate change action. Indeed, cities are recognized as being responsible for significant CO2 emissions due to the activities they carry out. They are also places of experimentation to implement local solutions. In France, the 2015 Energy Transition Law for Green Growth translates the goal of the Paris Agreement by designating local authorities as "coordinators" of the energy transition at the local level, giving them the responsibility to implement local climate plans.

This poster discusses the discourse on the responsibility of French local authorities in climate change action by presenting the case of medium-sized cities. The question of local appropriation of this responsibility and the effectiveness of the power of these cities to contain a "wicked problem" such as climate change remains problematic. In medium-sized cities, the means of action are not comparable to those of large cities and the responsibility to act can become a burden. On the other hand, this can be an opportunity to rethink local public action and experiment with creative solutions.

The poster will explore what the imperative to implement climate action means for French local authorities. Is the responsibility to act appropriated as a virtuous duty to fulfill? On the contrary, is it perceived as a burden that they must carry? In order to enlighten the reflection, the poster will be based on a thesis in preparation about the appropriation of public action on climate change in medium-sized local authorities in France.