The French Republic

International Renewable Energy Agency

  1. Combating Climate Change by Increasing Urban Energy Efficiency

One of the largest ongoing movements by the French Republic is the encouragement of efficient transportation: in September of 2016, the Parisian government shut down motorways along the Seine in an effort to encourage cycling and walking. On multiple occasions since 2015, Paris has completely restricted automotive use in the forty-sq. mile historic city centre; and most significantly, the Grand Paris Express, a public alternative to modern superhighways for suburban residents, is currently under construction. More broadly, the French Republic has publicly announced our dedication to improving energy efficiency, setting the goal of improving energy efficiency by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. France also recognizes the sizable role residences play in energy consumption, and we are attempting to curtail their climate impacts in several ways: we are requiring all ongoing construction to create low-energy residences; the French “Green Embassy” project is conducting energy audits and subsequently renovating the involved buildings to decrease their environmental impact; and France has monetarily supported the reuse and renovation of existing properties in both the public and private sectors, in efforts to both minimize excess emissions from new construction and maintain high energy efficiency in historic urban areas.

The French Republic has also made efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability worldwide: as of 2015, France is responsible for ten percent of solar energy production in India; in 2017, the large-scale, sustainably-run, French-backed metro system Kochi Metro was inaugurated in India, and France has committed to providing €2 billion to further sustainable urban development in India. Historically, France has been extraordinarily dedicated to minimizing carbon emissions from energy production and application; beginning in 1973, France constructed fifty-nine nuclear power plants over a span of fifteen years. The abundance of nuclear plants France created in the mid-to-late 20th century has led to continued energy dominance since: France is the largest net exporter of energy in the world, with over seventy percent of French energy production being nuclear, and the rest being renewable.

Urban energy efficiency is clearly not a topic exclusive to France: according to a report by Jesús Rosales Carreón and Ernst Worrell, cities are set to represent ninety percent of future energy growth, and currently represent 75% of Chinese energy use and 69% of the European Union’s. However, French policies have proven to be incredibly effective in promoting both sustainable and efficient energy in urban areas, and so initially, simple application of French methods to other densely populated areas has the potential to drastically improve efficiency. To apply these methods worldwide, alongside other, new, innovative ideas, a subcommittee could be established under the second committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations, dedicated to the creating and expanding of affordable railway solutions in both urban and suburban areas. The subcommittee would be headed by representatives from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Singapore, all of which are Member States renowned for the quality and efficiency of their public transportation, and who would be united under the idea that densely populated sectors of all Member States can effectively eliminate the need for personal automobiles in both cities and their surrounding areas. Second, energy audits in urban sectors of developed Member States, if overseen and conducted by an expanded and empowered Green Embassy, could provide the information necessary for improving Member States’ local and national energy and construction policies – policies that would be tailored by-and-for the areas creating them. This growth of the Green Embassy would be funded by contributions from the Department of Energy in every Member State interested in availing themselves of this service, with the size of the contribution being determined by the magnitude of the analysis each Member State would require. Third, we propose the creation of an international body dedicated to the analysis of developing Member States’ energy efficiency. This body, APOC, would conduct analysis on ongoing energy efficiency in urban sectors of developing member states, publish their findings, offer local governments advice on the remedying of inefficiencies, and connect those governments with global sources of funding. APOC would be funded by the United Nations, as it would represent an NGO whose efforts would benefit the global community.

  1. Assessing the Socio-Economic Impacts of Wind and Solar Energy

The French Republic has been actively expanding its role in finding more efficient and long-lasting energy solutions as well as making said resources accessible not only to our nation but readily available globally. We are leading the global force and are fully open to participating with fellow Member States in assessing the implications of wind and solar energy.

Nationally, we have set in place the Plan de programmation pluriannuelle de l'Énergie (PPE) which outlines the goals to be achieved by 2023. The purpose of this act was to grow upon previously existing energy capacities in order to create more reliable infrastructure that will last into future generations. As this infrastructure is expensive, the implementation will span over several years in order to provide a more smooth transition. Regionally, within the European Union there have been large strides towards expanding renewable energy sources. According to the Union there has been a doubling of past energy usage since 2004, from eight and a half percent, to seventeen percent in 2016. The European Union plans to have a twenty percent gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This goal is to be jointly achieved between the EU Member States that each have their own national action plans. Internationally, the Republic of France has always played an active role in advising and assisting other Member States in their respective environmental endeavors. In March of 2018, President Emmanuel Macron and the French government committed €700 million in investment to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which was created in order to promote solar energy in 121 countries. Lastly, the French Republic remains an integral member of the Paris Climate Accord and remains participatory with all parties and signatories.

As discussed previously, the French Republic has many goals not only for its future, but the rest of the planet as well. However, there are obstacles that other countries need to assess before we can implement renewable energy sources into their nations. The French Republic offers a three-fold plan to set the stage for international cooperation and unity as well as promote worldwide awareness of environmental preservation. We call this program The Safeguard Initiative. This global participatory program first gives financial assistance to willing and dedicated members in need of assistance from prominent economies such as the United States of America, The United Kingdom, and China. In return, these major economic spheres will receive a break on imports and exports. The second stage of this plan requires the building of infrastructure within all respective nations. The use of wind and solar energy, especially on a global scale, will become the energy of the future if all nations make strides to build their capacities. Lastly, we propose an international awareness program to educate and create a new culture where sustainability comes first and where future generations can live as well as thrive.