74 organisations warn against the increasing number of infrastructure projects in the Camargue
-
Advocacy
-
Nature based solutions
74 organisations representing 36 countries, including MAW members, BirdLife partners, WWF, and others, are alerting national and European authorities to the environmental and socio-economic risks of infrastructure projects, in particular, the construction of an extra-high-voltage overhead power line in the Camargue, an emblematic Natura 2000 site in Europe.
In three letters addressed respectively to the French Minister for Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention, the European Commission, and the Secretary of the Bern Convention, the undersigned organisations express their concern about the increasing number of infrastructure projects in the Camargue Biosphere Reserve, in particular the recent project to build an EHV overhead power line. The organisations are highly concerned about the cumulative impact of these projects on the ecological and cultural integrity of the Camargue and urge the authorities not to authorise the construction of this EHV line without guaranteeing the protection of the area and its biodiversity.
The 65 km EHV overhead power line project involves the installation of 180 60-80 metre high pylons, crossing four Natura 2000 sites, a national nature reserve, a regional natural park, a Ramsar site, and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The power line would be located on the migratory flyway between northern Europe and Africa – a vital crossroads for birdlife – and would pose an alarming risk of electrocution to more than 400 species of birds, some of which are protected and endangered. In addition to the environmental consequences, the construction of this EHV overhead line would significantly impact several economic pillars of the region, including agriculture, tourism, and culture. A petition with over 33,500 signatures reflects the strong public opposition to the project.
On the legislative front, the organisations point out that the EHV project would contravene both EU environmental legislation – in particular the Nature Restoration Law – and France’s obligations under the Bern Convention, in particular Article 4.2, which requires Parties to “take into account the conservation requirements of protected areas” when planning and developing projects. Furthermore, the possible withdrawal of the UNESCO Man & Biosphere label if the project goes ahead would send a negative signal to the international community. It would set a dangerous precedent for France and the European Union, calling into question their ability to reconcile the fight against climate change with the protection of nature.
An unprecedented local collective of farmers, environmentalists, and tourism, cultural, and industrial stakeholders has developed alternative solutions to an overhead power line. The undersigned organisations call for a thorough analysis of these alternatives to reconcile national and international targets for carbon neutrality with the preservation of this Mediterranean jewel, a refuge for 103 endangered species.
