— Published on December 2, 2025

The Alps 2030 plan faces challenges regarding citizen consultation.

French Alps 2030 Focus

The French 2030 Alpine Games are under the United Nations spotlight. The citizens' collective JOP 2030 filed a complaint with the UN denouncing the lack of public participation in the event's organization. The complaint was deemed admissible, which will require France to demonstrate, over the next five months, that it has not failed in its obligations regarding public information and participation. Edgar Grospiron expected a bumpy road, and he wasn't wrong.

The principle of environmental democracy

The citizens' collective JOP 2030, joined in its demands by the Human Rights League and France Nature Environnement, believes that " From the outset, the organization of the Winter Games in the French Alps has been a blatant denial of democracy. " and " citizens have never been able to express themselves "Including the very idea of ​​submitting an application. A major problem because, in the eyes of the group, this project will have an excessive financial and environmental impact ».

The admissibility of the appeal by the Aarhus Convention Monitoring Committee must call on France to stop presenting its citizens with a fait accompli and to organize a public debate on holding the games and their appropriateness without further delay "For the collective." The Aarhus Convention, signed and ratified by France, requires authorities to guarantee public participation in decisions that have a significant impact on the environment, from the very beginning of the decision-making process, when all options – including not acting – are open. This is about ensuring collective deliberation on the various impacts, particularly on the environment, biodiversity, and public health. This is the very principle of environmental democracy. " insists the statement published a few days ago.

An electronic consultation

In the spring, Edgar Grospiron began discussions, notably with the CGT Savoie union, to develop a social and environmental charter. It was done by Paris 2024 and I think it's a very good thing. We need to have as many people as possible on board with a project like that. " explained the president of the COJOP to Francs Jeux in May, concerned about " to prevent potential misunderstandings This charter was signed last Wednesday at the French House of Sport. This charter sets out our ambitions for the 2030 Games, which, from the outset, have been built with, by, and for the territories » affirms Sports Minister Marina FerrariHowever, the educational work will need to continue.

When questioned on the subject by Ouest-FranceMarina Ferrari did not appear particularly worried. The Olympic text states that the consultation will be conducted electronically, which greatly increases the number of people who will be able to participate in the public consultation. She said. The COJOP will respond to the Aarhus Convention and present its arguments. This will not hinder our work; we will continue to move forward. "She even sees this procedure as an opportunity to persuade."

« They have arguments that we can dismantle and explain, on the contrary, that the public consultation will be broader than just meetings. (…) What I take away from this is that an Odoxa poll shows that 55% of French people are very much in favor of France hosting the Games again. That's a good foundation for progress. We're going to have a lot of educational work to do. We'll have to explain point by point how these Games will be more sustainable. We are fully committed, along with the regions, to making these the most sustainable Games in history, both in terms of carbon footprint and financial impact. France now has until April 24 to present its arguments. The Aarhus committee will then decide on the next steps in the appeal.