Prayer for a budget
This October 4 was celebrated the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, proclaimed in 1979 “heavenly patron of environmentalists” by John Paul II. It is also in October that the long-awaited finance bill must be submitted to the National Assembly.
No connection, you will tell me… Well, the time is so serious for the ecological transition in France that Catholics who are a little sensitive to the subject should perhaps invoke the Poverello so that it is not the main neglect of the debate budgetary.
At the end of August, a “ceiling letter” leaked announcing reductions in resources for the Ministry of Ecological Transition. For example, a reduction in the green fund essential to local authorities so that they can insulate their buildings, support sustainable mobility, decarbonize industry, etc.
However, they should invest at least 19 billion euros each year until 2030 to enable the country to achieve its climate objectives, according to a report published in mid-September. That’s about double the 2023 amount.
Furthermore, major projects such as the Multi-Annual Energy Program (PPE) or the 3rd National Plan for adaptation to climate change have been frozen for months.
Not really the kind of gel likely to cool the climate… I admit to keeping this information from my children, for fear of their embarrassing questions about our priorities as adult and responsible citizens. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!