The Aude Department has introduced a territorial development strategy for renewable energies, jointly designed with all the stakeholders in order to facilitate the development of agreed, cooperative projects.
Under the proposed method, the scheme would operate through energy transition committees, bringing in elected representatives, socio-economic actors and citizens.
Energy transition and spatial planning are long-term issues that require a forward-looking approach. For a rural area, the interaction between these two highly strategic policies means decision-makers must have full control over them so that they can plan for the future with confidence and determination.
Throughout France, elected representatives no longer face straightforward choices: they have to compromise and balance social justice, economic development and environmental emergency, all against a backdrop of tight budgets.
Thanks to public involvement, choices have been guided by the needs expressed by local populations, making it easier to ensure ownership of the new challenges. The opinions of the energy transition committees are founded on a collective effort of constructive debate. Discussions have been held with the aim of reaching a consensus, which will give greater force to the opinions issued in this regard. The opinions have been finalised, debated and then subjected to a qualified majority vote of two thirds of members present. All those attending the meetings voted, no replacements being possible.
This strategy thus represents a clear example of participatory democracy.
