Environmental Governance

Climate change and ecological crises demand governance transformations challenging traditional democratic temporalities and territorialities.

Institutional Innovations

France pioneers environmental constitutionalism:

Environmental Charter (2004): Constitutional status unique: - Right to healthy environment - Precautionary principle - Sustainable development - Public participation - Polluter pays

Climate Governance: New institutions emerging: - High Council for Climate - Climate Convention Citizens - Ministry reorganizations - Regional adaptation plans - Local climate contracts

Legal Evolution: Courts increasingly involved: - State climate obligations - Administrative litigation growth - Corporate duties expanding - Rights of nature debates - Intergenerational justice

Policy Challenges

Environmental action faces structural obstacles:

Economic Tensions: Growth-ecology conflicts: - Employment transitions - Competitiveness concerns - Social acceptance costs - Rural-urban divides - Yellow Vests lessons

Time Horizons: Democratic cycles vs. climate timescales: - Electoral short-termism - Long-term planning needs - Irreversibility questions - Future generations representation - Discounting debates

Scale Mismatches: National action insufficient: - Global coordination required - European frameworks - Local implementation - Individual behavior - System change needs

Democratic Innovations

Environmental challenges inspire experimentation:

Deliberative Democracy: Climate Convention model: - Citizen assemblies - Expert input integration - Consensus building attempts - Media attention - Implementation gaps

Youth Mobilization: New political dynamics: - School strikes - Litigation strategies - Party pressure - Generational conflicts - Future orientation

Local Experiments: Municipal leadership: - Transition towns - Participatory budgeting - Nature rights recognition - Circular economy - Resilience planning