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4eme Rencontres de Cluny (Cluny)

November 13 - November 15

As ecological urgency grows and political support for the green transition comes under increasing pressure, what space remains for ecology in Europe? At the 2026 Rencontres des pensées de l’écologie in Cluny, GEF brings together political, academic and civil society voices to explore how Green and democratic forces can confront the far right and put ecology back at the heart of Europe’s political future. 

About the event

Les Rencontres des pensées de l’écologie return to Cluny from 13–15 November 2026, bringing together researchers, political representatives, activists and practitioners to confront some of the key debates and divisions shaping ecological thought and explore the foundations for a shared ecological project. Since their creation in 2022, the Rencontres have sought to move beyond traditional silos, creating a space for dialogue on the political, social and economic transformations needed to build ecologically sustainable and socially just societies. 

As part of the 2026 edition, the Green European Foundation will contribute to two European discussions on Friday 13 November. The first, 2026, annus horribilis pour l’écologie?, will examine the place of ecological issues in recent electoral choices and the apparent gap between the urgency of the climate crisis and its political salience, bringing together perspectives from France and Belgium. Later that evening, L’Europe bascule-t-elle inexorablement vers les réactionnaires? will broaden the conversation to Europe, exploring how democratic and ecological forces can respond to the rise of the far right and build credible pathways towards ecological and social transformation. Both sessions will bring European perspectives into the debates in Cluny and connect political experience, research and civil society expertise. 

Programme

Friday 13 November 2026 

14:00–16:00 | TR2: 2026, annus horribilis pour l’écologie? (FR) 

  • Jeanne Barseghian – French politician and member of Les Écologistes, former mayor of Strasbourg (2020-2026)
  • Simon Persico – Political scientist; Director, Sciences Po Grenoble
  • Zakia Khattabi – Former Belgian Minister for Climate and the Green Deal (2020–2025)
  • Moderation: tbc, Green European Foundation

Quelle place ont occupé les enjeux écologiques dans les choix électoraux récents? Quelle coupure avec la perception de l’urgence climatique et quelle place pour l’écologie dans la campagne présidentielle?
[EN: To what extent have environmental issues influenced recent electoral choices? To what extent does this contrast with the perception of the climate emergency, and what role will environmental issues play in the presidential campaign?]

19:00–21:00 | TR7 – L’Europe bascule-t’elle inexorablement vers les réactionnaires? (FR)

  • Jens Althoff – Director, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Warsaw Office
  • Faustine Bas-Defossez – Director for Nature, Health and Environment, European Environmental Bureau
  • Zakia Khattabi – Former Belgian Minister for Climate and the Green Deal (2020–2025)
  • Moderation: Benoit Monange – Co-President, Green European Foundation

Face à la montée de l’extrême droite en Europe, quelles stratégies et quels espoirs pour éviter le pire et proposer un chemin de démocratie et de transformation écologique et sociale?
[EN: In the face of the rise of the far right in Europe, what strategies and hopes are there for averting the worst and charting a course towards democracy and ecological and social transformation?]

Beyond the sessions: Green Letter Club interviews 

Alongside the programme GEF will contribute a series of video interviews, capturing the insights of leading political ecology thinkers and Green thought leaders present at the event. Produced in collaboration with the Green Letter Club, the interviews will serve to bring the fruits of the event to a wider European audience and will be published on YouTube with English subtitles as part of GEF’s Green European Observatory initiative. 

Practicalities

Date: 13–15 November 2026
GEF Talks session: Friday 13 November 2026
Location: Campus Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) – 13 Rue Porte de Paris, 71250 Cluny, France
Language: the programme of the entire event will be in French
Participation: Participant registration is required, via this link.

The full programme and further information are available on the Rencontres de Cluny website. 

The 4eme Rencontres de Cluny is organised by L’instant d’après and Fondation de l’Écologie Politique. GEF sessions and contributions are organised by the Green European Foundation, and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Details

Venue