Édouard Philippe Proposes 'Massive Air Conditioning' and 'National Swimming Plan' to Combat Climate Change

Former French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is urging for a more rapid and ambitious approach to climate change adaptation, proposing a series of measures in response to a recent intense heatwave. Philippe, now a candidate for the 2027 presidential election, stated, "We are not moving fast enough on climate change adaptation, and we will have to go further."

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We are not moving fast enough on climate change adaptation, and we will have to go further.

Among his proposals is a plan for "massive air conditioning" of public facilities that house vulnerable individuals, such as schools, nurseries, and hospitals. He highlighted the existing financial tool, the "Fonds vert" (Green Fund), suggesting it should be doubled and refocused on adaptation and cooling public spaces. Credits for this fund, intended for climate change adaptation, have significantly decreased in recent years.

Philippe also advocates for a "national swimming plan" to encourage the use of France's waterways. He drew a parallel with the cleanup of the Seine and Marne rivers for the Paris Olympics, questioning why similar efforts couldn't be made for rivers flowing through cities or for public swimming pools. He believes cities need to be rethought to provide more access to shade, increase tree planting, and implement innovative construction and urban planning, while removing outdated urbanism rules that hinder adaptation efforts.

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The French need air. We must massively air-condition facilities that house fragile people, schools, nurseries, hospitals... we have a financial tool for this, the Fonds vert, which must be doubled and refocused on adaptation and air conditioning of public places.

To coordinate these initiatives, Philippe proposed the creation of a "DATAR 2.0," a directorate for land use planning and adaptation to global warming. This new structure would consolidate existing agencies and mobilize thousands of technicians to assist local authorities in building necessary infrastructure like dikes and water retention systems. Philippe emphasized the need to act decisively, leveraging France's decarbonized electricity supply, partly due to nuclear power, and exploring geothermal energy.

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We must reclaim our aquatic heritage. For the Paris Olympics, the Seine and Marne were made swimmable after a century! Why not do the same with all the rivers flowing through our cities? Why not invest in our public swimming pools?