France

Show more

Show more

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) asks Pascal Lorot, the National Commissioner of the Pavilion of France, about the country’s participation at Expo 2017 Astana.

Why did France choose “Energy Transition for Green Growth” as the theme for its participation at Expo 2017 Astana?

P. Lorot: The theme of the French Pavilion is an extension of the French State’s efforts to encourage “Energy transition for green growth”. More precisely, this law on energy transition for green growth and the action plans implemented in France must allow our country to:

• Contribute more effectively to the fight against climate disruption;

• Reinforce energy independence by better balancing different sources of supply;

• Create a dynamic for positive ecology that lifts constraints and releases initiatives.

What best practices and tools are showcased in favour of limiting energy consumption and diversifying energy sources?

P. Lorot: Our partner companies exhibit different sources of energy that allow the reduction of energy consumption including: solar and biomass (Total), energy recovery from waste (Syctom), biogas recovery (Veolia), low-consumption products and materials (Peugeot, Vicat, Saint-Gobain), and fusion (Iter).

One of the sub-themes of Expo 2017 is “Energy for All”. What is France doing to improve energy access in developing countries?

P. Lorot: Today, French policy in this area is based around four main objectives:

• Giving priority to renewable energy and energy efficiency,

• Improving energy access in rural and peri-urban areas,

• Securing and reinforcing energy systems,

• Strengthening energy policies and capacity for action

In practice, these objectives are reflected in France’s development aid policies. Of the 7.4 billion euros consecrated to energy sector investments in foreign countries by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) since 2007, 5.8 million euros have gone towards the completion of projects in the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Beyond the national context, France also encourages private funding alongside the traditional aid. These innovative mechanisms include the European Union’s Energy Facility program, and global coordination based around the “Energy for All” initiative (SE4All), launched in 2012 by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban-Ki Moon. France is the second largest European contributors to SE4All, which will be one of the international organisations participating in Expo 2017 Astana.

With one of its sub-themes focused on reducing CO2 emissions, how, in your opinion, can Expo 2017 Astana contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement?

P. Lorot: As a reminder, the Paris Agreement was signed as a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to limit the average temperature increase to no higher than 2°C. The Expo is an opportunity to present an overview of the different solutions at hand to achieve this goal.