Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) for its opinion on how to accelerate France's adaptation to climate change. Expected in January 2027, this opinion will focus in particular on financing measures, the transition of the agricultural sector, and water resource sharing.
This initiative comes after a summer marked by several exceptional heatwaves. Matignon specifies that it complements the measures that the Minister for Ecological Transition, Monique Barbut , is to present by the end of the month to accelerate the implementation of the third national climate change adaptation plan (PNACC3).
The government wants to accelerate the country's preparation
In a letter addressed to Claire Thoury, president of the CESE (French Economic, Social and Environmental Council), Sébastien Lecornu asks the institution to clarify the "challenges and levers for accelerating" adaptation. The government specifically wants to have a discussion on medium- and long-term financing needs, the evolution of agriculture, and water management.
According to the Prime Minister , 85% of the actions planned under the PNACC3, adopted in March 2025, are already underway. However, he believes that the weather events of this year demonstrate the need to intensify preparations for more challenging climatic conditions.
An economic cost in the event of inaction
The new measures expected will cover several sectors, including construction, transport, agriculture, water, forestry, education, and working conditions. Climate adaptation is also to be addressed at a government seminar scheduled for Thursday.
The issue goes beyond environmental policies alone. The Ministry of the Economy estimates that inaction on climate change could have a significant cost for the French economy, potentially reaching 3,6% of GDP by 2050. The government therefore intends to accelerate the country's preparation while consulting the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) on the conditions necessary for this adaptation.
