Marine Le Pen on Climate Change
Marine Le Pen links climate and energy policy directly to national sovereignty, emphasizing a strategy of energy independence for France. This strategy heavily favors the development and maintenance of nuclear and hydroelectric power as reliable, domestic energy sources. Conversely, Marine Le Pen is a pronounced opponent of wind energy, proposing a moratorium on new developments and the eventual dismantling of existing turbines based on concerns over intermittency and landscape impact. Her overall approach prioritizes national economic interests and self-sufficiency over international climate accords or certain renewable energy technologies, reflecting a protectionist economic view. It is important to note that Marine Le Pen has shifted her European position, no longer advocating for France to leave the EU or the euro, which indirectly affects her approach to transnational climate governance frameworks.
Actions Taken
- Policy proposalProposed a moratorium on new wind energy development, both onshore and offshore, and called for the eventual dismantling of all current wind turbines.
- Policy statementStated her support for nuclear and hydroelectric power as central pillars of French energy policy.
Criticism
Her opposition to wind power and focus on nuclear energy is often framed as insufficient or regressionist in the context of global decarbonization goals.
Comparison
- Previous Stance (Pre-2019): Marine Le Pen previously supported a referendum on leaving the EU, which would have fundamentally altered France's role in European climate policy.
- Current Stance (Post-2019): She now advocates for changing the EU from within, focusing on national goals rather than outright withdrawal, which suggests a less disruptive, albeit still nationalist, approach to existing climate frameworks.