The climate emergency is our reality

On October 7, in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, François de Canson presented the main guidelines of the regional ecological planning. An event marked by a clear call for collective action in the face of the climate emergency. During the Rencontre territoriale de la transition écologique 2025, the vice-president of the Région Sud, representing Renaud Muselier, recalled the regional determination in the face of climate challenges and praised the "exemplary work" carried out by the services of the State, the Région and the Var urban planning agency. "The climate emergency is no longer a hypothesis, it is our reality. To back down or postpone the transformation of our development methods would be to leave our children with the weight of a responsibility that we must assume today," he declared.

PIONEERING REGION

Since 2017, the Région Sud has made the ecological transition the heart of its public action. Its climate plan, named "Une COP d’avance", now represents 40% of the regional budget, meaning more than €370 million dedicated to environmental preservation. In 2022, the Région was designated by Élisabeth Borne as a pilot territory for ecological planning, before adopting Europe's first green budget at the end of 2023. And, the Var is at the heart of the transition, as François de Canson recalled: "With its Toulon metropolis, its coastline, its forests and its agricultural lands, it is an iconic territory for climate challenges. Eleven Var structures — agglomeration communities, energy unions, natural parks, agricultural organizations — have already ratified the regional agreements for the ecological transition. This movement illustrates that ecology is not an option, but a shared responsibility."

PRESERVING AGRICULTURAL LANDS

He continued: "Our natural parks — Sainte-Baume, Verdon and projects such as the Maures - Estérel - Tanneron park bear witness to the attachment of the Varois to their heritage. But it is not only about preserving, it is about acting. Acting to adapt our territories, our economies, our lifestyles. Acting with method and vision. Adaptation to climate change must be integrated into every single one of our decisions: in urban planning, in the organization of mobility, in the economy, in agriculture. The latter, at the heart of our food sovereignty, must be protected and rethought. Preserving our agricultural lands, fighting against uncontrolled urbanization, guaranteeing sustainable water management, adapting crops to new climatic conditions... so many challenges that we must meet collectively. It is in this spirit that since 2017, we have made environmental preservation the guiding thread of our term." The vice-president of the Région invited local stakeholders to join the dynamic via the platform "Connaissance du Territoire – Ma Région Sud" to ratify the agreements, propose actions and share their experiences. In conclusion, François de Canson called for a collective mobilization: "Together, let's make the Var a model! We have a unique opportunity: that of building together a resilient, attractive Var capable of meeting climate challenges. Our duty is not only to protect what we have received, but to prepare what we will leave behind." •

A strategy structured around five areas (Air, Sea, Land, Energy, Waste): • Air: first 100% electric long-distance coach line in Europe; 90% of port calls in Marseille now "zero smoke". • Sea: 100% of ports committed to the "Ports propres" approach. • Land: three million trees planted, two new regional natural parks, and burned areas halved since 2017. • Energy: first pilot floating wind farm off Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, +45% of installed photovoltaic power. • Waste: +10% of household waste recycled in three years.