Presentation short abstract

This presentation discusses developments of far-right ecologism in the French context based on the analysis of interviews conducted with militants from extra-parliamentary far-right groups who have included ecological issues to their political agenda.

Presentation long abstract

The far right is known globally rather for a sharp anti-environmentalism, including opposition to climate science and the dismantlement of environmental regulations. Yet, some far-right actors have taken the environmental (and climate) crises seriously, acknowledging and mobilising around ecological issues. This article studies such developments in the French context based on the analysis of interviews conducted with militants from extra-parliamentary far-right groups who have included “ecology” to their political agenda. Further challenging the climate-denialism/ecofascism dichotomy, the examination of far-right ecological activism reveals how climate denialism and pro-environmental stances are far from being mutually exclusive. The finding emphasise a move away from and mutation of outright denialism and an ambition to increase awareness on ecological issues among the far-right political camp at large, trying to regain legitimacy on the latter. Yet, climate issues are often simultaneously overlooked. The respondents denounce a Co2-centered environmentalism for being a keystone for technocratic decision-making and the pursuit of capitalism under a green banner alike. Instead, they advocate a more encompassing ecological approach, insofar as they understand the 'climate crisis' as in fact being a mere symptom of a wider 'anthropological crisis' which they aim to mitigate. This article shows the multiple roles of “climate change” and the climate/environment division in contemporary forms of far-right engagement with ecological issues, speculating on how environmentalism without climate might in fact fall under a form of climate adaptation.