*[Enwl-eng] [can-eecca] NGO meeting on the "Yellow Vest crisis"

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Dec 25, 2018, 7:05:35 PM12/25/18

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Dear all,

Thanks a lot for your participation to the discussion on the Yellow Vests' crisis. Below a summary (please feel free to complement) and attached the slides.

As action points, we agreed the following:

Short-term : develop a narrative and talking points on Just transition at least for EU ministers to frame their speeches during the COP: highlighting the need for an inclusive and fair transition going hand-in-hand with an increased climate action - maintaining an open door for well-designed carbon taxation solutions ;
Medium / Long-term actions
- Continue the discussions on what can be our collective answer to support carbon taxation, being part of a coherent package for social justice and climate actions :
- Climate/environmental organisations will invest in social movements to frame the just transition narrative ;

Discussions :

Political consequences identified:

The crisis goes beyond the French borders:
- A large part of the population in many countries is excluded from the energy transition + EU societies face growing inequalities (rural areas/ urban areas, poorest households/ wealthiest).
- This exclusion might lead to strengthening far right movements in Europe ahead EU elections in May 2019;
Political risks go beyond French borders:
- It strengthens conservative narrative against climate policies (e.g Trump, Duda) and counters more climate ambition at all decision making levels;
- Undermine France credibility in the international negotiations and EU discussions, putting at risk progressive coalitions. This is a bad signal before the French Presidency of the G7 in 2019;
- Might be used to prevent certain countries to implement carbon taxation e.g DE, IE, ES, US, BE--> The bad implementation of the carbon tax in France ruined the reputation of carbon taxation (Macron has a responsibility to fix it);

Our collective narrative

There is a growing support for climate policies among citizens e.g marches, public opinion polls. However climate policies have to be designed in order to provide co-benefits to all : no-one should be left behind;
Need to differentiate between the tool (the carbon tax) and its implementation.
- French implementation of the carbon tax is a bad example : i.e increase carbon tax on fuels for normal people but at the same time increased exemptions for aviation, road haulers, big companies ;
- Increase feeling of social injustice. 3/4 of Macron's carbon tax was dedicated to the general budget in order to cover tax exemptions for companies and wealthiest parts of the population;
- Canceling the increase of the carbon tax is not the answer to the social crisis and growing inequalities. This will simply maintain dependency to fossil fuels, without providing solutions;
Lesson learnt from the French crisis is that climate action and social justice should go hand-in-hand to successfully drive to the transition and reduce inequalities ;

Conditions for a socially fair carbon tax : based on some good practises (e.g Sweden, California), keeping in mind that no model is perfect and social acceptance is often fragile.

Carbon taxation is a fundamental tool to accelerate emission reduction and to apply the polluter-pays principle, but it should cover the real polluters (e.g richest 10% biggest polluters and 100 companies responsible for 71% of pollution). No exemption is possible;
A carbon tax should be co-developed in an inclusive and transparent manner and should be communicated well in advance in order to increase the social consensus ;
It has to be part of a coherent package, helping to reduce inequalities in the society and invest in alternatives and solutions e.g large taxation reforms can be the right tool to balance the carbon tax with supports to the poorest households ;
The carbon tax must be progressive, and should be accompanied by short term measures in order to support poorest/isolated households to bear the cost of the carbon tax until alternative solutions for their mobility/heating are developed.
Revenues of the tax should be clearly dedicated to tangible policies, being part of a broad public debate beforehand e.g social support to reduce inequalities, investments in the transition

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Neil

Le ven. 7 déc. 2018 à 09:38, Neil Makaroff <neil.m...@reseauactionclimat.org> a écrit :

Dear all,

The 45-min-exchange on the yellow vest crisis, will take place in Area B, room 15 at 11.15.

The idea is to have a common understanding on :

What is this crisis about ? ;

What are the impacts and consequences ? ;
Will it change political dynamics in Europe and internationally ? ;
What can be our collective answer ? ;

See you later !

Best,

Neil

Le jeu. 6 déc. 2018 à 18:57, Neil Makaroff <neil.m...@reseauactionclimat.org> a écrit :

Dear all,

As discussed with European colleagues, we are organising a 45-min-exchange on the yellow vest crisis, happening in France, tomorrow at 11.15.

The idea is to have a common understanding on :

What is this crisis about ? ;

What are the impacts and consequences ? ;
Will it change political dynamics in Europe and internationally ? ;
What can be our collective answer ? ;

It would be great if Canadian and Californian colleagues could share their experiences of the carbon tax to identify the leverage and best practises. :)

We don't have room confirmed yet, but I will keep you posted tomorrow morning. It will probably take place in Area B next to the Hall.

Thanks a lot in advance and looking forward to discussing with you !

Best regards,

Neil

Neil MAKAROFF

Responsable Europe | European Policy Adviser

Réseau Action Climat - France | Climate Action Network - France

Email: neil.m...@reseauactionclimat.org

Mobile: +33(0)683264332 | Skype: live:makaroff.neil

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From: Neil Makaroff <neil.m...@reseauactionclimat.org>
Date: сб, 8 дек. 2018 г. в 07:33
Subject: Re: [CAN-talk] NGO meeting on the "Yellow Vest crisis" - consequences and answers

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From: Tatiana Shauro

Sent: Monday, December 24, 2018 6:27 AM

Subject: [can-eecca] Про протесты желтых жилетов

* * *

What Lies Beneath the Yellow Vests' Protests in France - Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.iisd.org/gsi/subsidy-watch-blog/yellow-vest-protests

From: Jennie Sutton

Sent: Monday, December 24, 2018 7:25 AM

Subject: Re: [can-eecca] Про протесты желтых жилетов

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