This exploratory analysis aims to identify the main methodological challenges related to tracking and assessing the low carbon transition, covering both issues:
- of content
- Which indicators should inform which questions?
- To what level of precision should the tracking of these strategies go?
- How should the information be structured to make it relevant to the debate? - and of governance
- What are the respective roles for institutional actors, stakeholders and experts in the process?
- - How should the tracking, assessment and revision of the strategic plans be coordinated with the political cycle?
-What issues are raised in terms of transparency of the process and independence of institutions?
Key points
- TRACKING AND ASSESSMENT: MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANSITION
The tracking and assessment of policy tools and strategies are fundamental to the management of the low-carbon transition. Given the scant attention being paid to this process in the revision of the national strategic plans (the National Low Carbon Strategy [SNBC] and the Multi-Year Energy Plan [PPE]) in 2018, a number of questions related to their implementation in terms of French governance still remain to be clarified.
- DEVELOPING A STANDARD MECHANISM FOR THE FOLLOW-UP OF THE TRANSITION IN FRANCE
Drafting a dashboard of indicators for the low-carbon transition is a priority in order to ensure the transparency of the public policies implemented. For overall efficacy and coherence, the monitoring of all the strategic plans regarding the energetic and climate transition should rest on a “common knowledge-base”. This report sets forth a framework proposal for this dashboard, structured around various analytical levels so as to develop a coherent overall vision which is at once succinct and precise
- VIEWING ASSESSMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACHES AS COMPLEMENTARY
The assessment of implementation and progress achieved should be the starting point for forward-looking analyses and revision of strategic plans. This approach seems all the more necessary to cope with the increasing challenge presented by the strengthening of the long-term target (carbon neutrality) and the growing gaps with targets defined for the first carbon budget of the SNBC.
- STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE THROUGH A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
The Energy Transition Law of 2015 only provides some initial frameworks for the management of the assessment and revision of strategic plans. Some avenues for improvement can nevertheless be identified: collectively developing a methodological framework for assessment and follow-up that includes stakeholders and experts; rationalizing and streamlining the increasing number of low-carbon transition assessment reports; and the importance of clarifying the role of the expert committee in the assessment process.
