Le Figaro Nantes
630.2 million euros: this is the amount of the initial 2024 budget which will be presented on Friday in Nantes during the next municipal council.
For the second year, part of these investment and equipment expenses will be analyzed in the light of the environment and gender equality.
Tested in 2023, the
“green”
and
“gender-sensitive”
budgets are renewed.
These are not defined amounts but rather reading grids allowing us to see if the credits advance the community in terms of ecological transition or inequalities.
“The green budget responds to a codified, standardized, established national nomenclature, where that is not the case in France for the gender-sensitive budget”
underlines the mayor (PS) of Nantes, Johanna Rolland, who wants to make the Cité des Ducs the first non-sexist city by 2030.
“For a long time, we said that spending was neutral and that there was no impact on equality between women and men. We know that it’s false
,” introduced Mahaut Bertu, deputy for equality, the non-sexist city and the fight against discrimination, during a press conference on Monday.
“When we install a photovoltaic panel, it does not necessarily have the same impact on equality between women and men as when we open a crèche or when we finance
Citad'elles
(a place of welcome and support for women , Editor’s note) ,
”
cites the elected official as an example.
Read also: These cities which develop “gender-sensitive” budgets
Pay women better
In Nantes, three objects of study were selected last year: the Scènes Vagabondes festival, the Conservatory and Participatory Budgets.
The gender-sensitive budget highlighted that the presence of female artists during artistic events organized by the city increased from 8% to 31% between 2021 and 2023 (the national average is 14%).
Or to note that women's fees were lower than those of men.
Coercive measures have thus been identified to ultimately achieve parity or better pay women.
“Can we allocate a portion of our budget to female artists in order to push the cursors on the remuneration aspect?”
, suggests Mahaut Bertu.
Julien Bainvel, LR municipal councilor, views this system with skepticism.
“Does that by objectifying the fact that, in the Scènes Vagabondes festival, we have 30% female artists, advance the cause of women?”
.
For him, the problem has to be tackled at the root:
“How, basically, do we allow women to have the freedom to choose what they want to do (artists, scientists, etc.)?”
.
He also points out the selected objects of study,
“non-divisive subjects”
.
What about
“security”
for example?
For the year 2024, elected officials have not yet decided on the subjects studied.
One thing is certain, Mahaut Bertu, taking inspiration from Vienna which put this system in place 20 years ago, would like to ultimately see each object viewed
“under the prism of gender”
.
Read alsoNantes: the creation of a non-sexist city network makes the opposition cringe
An environmental protection budget?
On the green budget side,
“the goal is to see if our spending, our investments, our operations make it possible to protect the people of Nantes in the face of climate change
,” summarizes Hélène Naulin, delegate for foresight and resilience.
Certain projects were scrutinized and classified according to five items, depending on their positive or negative impact on climate change and the economy of resources (the issues of
“biodiversity”
,
“environment favorable to health”
and
“agriculture -power”
will soon be taken into account).
Certain points could not be evaluated because they do not fit into the mesh of the reference tool, the I4CE (Institute of Economics for the Climate).
It happens that some find themselves confronted with a paradox:
“For example, the creation of a park and ride is positive for promoting soft transport, but sometimes requires the artificialization of the land,”
observes the municipality
.
A paradox also noted by opponent Julien Bainvel, in charge of finances, who is awaiting clarification on the methodology:
“Last week, at school, they had an apricot tart.
It's not a seasonal fruit.
Is this favorable?
.
But more generally, he welcomes an environmental approach that goes in the right direction.
And could give him something for later:
“It can help to objectify the action of the municipality which prides itself on being ultra eco-friendly!”