Under the majestic catalpa tree, in the shade of the Romanesque church, the atmosphere is festive. People dance to the sound of the accordion, drink locally brewed beers, greet friends and neighbors with kisses. Every Thursday evening, the Panier frégandois, a small market with a bar and entertainment, takes place in the village of La Vineuse-sur-Frégande, in Saône-et-Loire. Local residents mingle with tourists, and different generations come together. The atmosphere is relaxed until the topic of ecology is brought up.
Some residents like Christian Mauguin, a 57-year-old municipal worker, feel that the focus on ecology has gone too far. He believes that in their area, people need large vehicles for transportation and cannot afford to change them. Anne-Gaëlle, a middle-aged school teacher, admits that she cannot do without her car either, but she is frustrated by the slow progress on the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. She denounces the cutting of hedges, the use of pesticides on pathways, and farmers who still use glyphosate. According to Sophie Talabot, a 76-year-old retiree, it can sometimes be difficult to discuss these issues as it feels like two separate worlds.
Ecology is at the heart of the policy carried out by the community of communes of Clunisois, to which La Vineuse-sur-Frégande belongs. In 2021, this organization, made up of forty-one municipalities, adopted an ambitious territorial project focused on ecological transition. The document, titled “Living Together in Clunisois… in the world of tomorrow,” aims for carbon neutrality by 2040 – ten years ahead of the national objective. This means reducing the carbon footprint of the 14,500 inhabitants from 7 tons per person per year in 2020 to 1.4 tons in 2040, a monumental challenge.
To bridge the gaps, different approaches were required. Terms like “ecology” or “simplicity” were avoided in order not to alienate people. According to Jean-Luc Delpeuch, the 65-year-old president of the community of communes, there is a negative association with ecology being seen as punitive, and people do not want to come off as preachy. Instead, the focus is on preserving the landscapes of the Clunisois region, with its hilly and green scenery, as well as highlighting the economic benefits of transitioning. This approach was the result of seventy-five consultation meetings in eight months.
Overall, the community of communes of Clunisois is striving to ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable way of life without creating divisions among its residents. The emphasis is on collaboration, dialogue, and finding common ground to tackle environmental challenges. By focusing on the preservation of the natural beauty of the region and the economic advantages of ecological transition, they aim to engage all members of the community in working towards a greener future.
