Jan 28, 2013 - France has kicked off a national debate on energy transition which will last until July with the final objective to lead to a draft law in October 2013.
The energy transition from fossil fuels towards a more ecology-oriented sources of energy involves greater energy efficiency, optimisation and last but not least increasing use of all types of renewable energy.
France is famous for relying a lot on nuclear energy and that industry is very developed in the country. Unlike Germany, the UK and the Nordic countries, France does not have a well developed renewable energy sector able to compensate or replace nuclear energy production.
The large-scale debate has been divided into four stages, each one of which envisages the active participation of French citizens. A big number of public events are scheduled as part of the energy debate and citizens from different age groups will have their say on energy issues that really matter to them.
The months of January and February are dedicated mostly to information campaigns and related events. French regions and communities have already joined forces to start debating energy issues.
The period between March and June has been scheduled for participation and other events. France is preparing the so-called Energy Days, to take place on March 29, 30 and 31. Energy companies will hold open-door events when consumers and students may visit their premises. The initiative is organised jointly with the French ministry of education.
For its part, the ministry of ecology and sustainable development will organise a week of the sustainable development between April 1 and 7.
Another important date in France's energy debate is May 25 when each of the 26 French regions will organise a meeting of a panel of citizens. They will debate again the challenges concerning the French energy transition to sustainable development.
The main objective is to hear the expectations and the opinion of the ordinary people in the country on energy problems.
Then, in July the information collected during the nation-wide debate will be collected and analysed in order to formulate specific recommendations to the French authorities. The final big objective, preparing a draft law to be reviewed in Parliament, is scheduled for October.
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