Supporting positive energy territories in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes through climate leadership

REMARKABLE Climate Leaders promote climate leadership in European regions. According to you, what are the main attributes of a climate leader?

Firstly, a climate leader is convinced and determined to get all the players on board to make the necessary change of gear to face the climate emergencies,

Secondly, they have a desire to support and co-construct with territorial actors and other leaders,

Thirdly, they are engaged in concrete actions on their territory and/or support long-standing actions.

Climate leaders inspire municipalities, local structures and citizens to address climate change and take meaningful action.

Catherine Premat

As you have just said, there is a need to take actions to address climate change. What is the current situation in your region that could be tackled with the help of climate leaders?

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes supports around forty territories in achieving the objectives of positive energy territories before 2050. To achieve these goals throughout the region, it is necessary to rely on some people to lead locally various publics in a collective project. The climate leaders will then help to increase regional capacity for action on the ecological transition, help regional actors to better understand the territories, and be associated from time to time with the evolution of regional policy thinking.

How does climate leadership look like in practice in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?

In our region, climate leadership is reflected in concrete actions on many issues: energy sufficiency plan, inclusive mobility, the greening of cities, improvement of air quality, involvement of citizens in developing actions, awareness raising, etc.

Since 1978 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes agency (AURA-EE) has been promoting sustainable energies in the region. How is your agency helping climate leaders nowadays?

The regional energy agency AURA-EE provides technical support, creates links between actors, highlights and shares good practices, mobilises regional institutions and develops tools to assist the management of the transition of territories.

Why do you think REMARKABLE is what your local leaders and communities need?

Our interviewed leaders told us about their need to share experiences, gain knowledge and inspiration from other leaders and experts, find new ways to involve several actors in a territory, be visible and legitimate at a regional level, etc. All the things that the REMARKABLE project can bring to our involved people who want to move the lines.