Future debate to the Grand Council
Registering the “day of surpassing” on the Vaudois calendar, what is it for?
Vaudois deputies want the canton to mark each year the symbolic day when naturally available resources have been exhausted. The proposal divides.
The Grand Vaudois Council will debate a proposal to formalize the “day of surpassing”. This year, the latter fell on May 7, against May 27 in 2024.
Christian Brun/Archives VQH
- The Grand Vaudois Council will debate a proposal to formalize the “day of surpassing”.
- The initiative divides the thematic commission of the environment and energy between symbolism and concrete efficiency.
- The Council of State prefers to invest in tangible actions rather than a symbolic day.
- The supporters suggest that the cantonal involvement would affect a wider audience.
Should we register every year “overtaking day»On the Vaudois calendar to better educate the population about their consumption? The question will soon be debated at the Grand Council. She follows the proposition of the deputy Elodie Lopez (EP) and others, who wish that the canton marks the date from which Switzerland will live “on credit” on the natural resources of the planet. This year, the famous jour fell on May 7.
“Highlight this symbolic day (Editor’s note: defined thanks to the sometimes controversial calculation of the NGO Global Footprint Network) would aim to give a cultural dimension to the ecological transition, ”explains the elected official, who notably establishes a comparison with the tradition of the winter man. “This approach would also make it possible to define a common objective: each year, we would try to progress and repel this date collectively.”
“Lack of efficiency” pointed out
Placed in May 2024, the Postulate divided the thematic commission of the environment and energy, which rendered two reports to the distinct conclusions. “What would this be used for?” Asks Grégory Bovay (PLR), rapporteur of minority. He and four other members especially fear the “lack of efficiency” of the measure. “The symbolism is good, but the concrete is better. There are already enough ambitious tools (he notably quotes the future energy law) to develop behavior and reduce emissions. ”
No one seems to challenge the good intentions of the initiative. The Council of State shares this point of view: he finds the idea “sympathetic”, but doubts the effectiveness of a symbolic day organized by the State, preferring to invest the resources In tangible and targeted actions, according to the two reports.
“In the absence of studies proving his ineffectiveness, let us try to experience,” retorts Sébastien Humbert (VL), rapporteur of the majority. “After a few years of implementation, we can assess the real impact.” According to him, this type of event – such as human rights days or the fight against racism – stimulates campaigns and initiatives.
Already informed population
Another argument against the postulate: the “day of the overrun” being already relayed by private initiatives, the population would be well informed by other biases. “The problem is that NGO communications generally reach only people who are already convinced,” supports Sébastien Humbert, on the side of supporters. If it is the canton that launches a campaign, for example in schools, the entire population will be exposed, whether it is interested or not. ”
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