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De l'usage du principe de précaution en univers controversé : entre débats publics et expertise

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  • Olivier Godard

    (CIRED - centre international de recherche sur l'environnement et le développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LMD - Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (UMR 8539) - UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 - INSU - CNRS - Institut national des sciences de l'Univers - X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Département des Géosciences - ENS Paris - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres)

Abstract

Depuis quelques années une nouvelle référence normative est apparue dans le champ de l'environnement : le principe de précaution. Il a commencé à être reconnu par le droit international et par le droit interne. Certains y voient une source de nouvelles obligations contraignant les responsables publics à refuser l'autorisation d'une activité ou d'un produit tant que demeurent des doutes sur l'existence possible de risques pour la santé et l'environnement. Avec cette interprétation, le principe serait l'instrument qui permettrait de mettre fin à l'indécision et aux boucles enchevêtrées des controverses scientifiques et sociales. L'article montre cependant que cette interprétation ne correspond pas aux définitions retenues dans les textes juridiques et qu'elle est indéfendable. En univers scientifiquement controversé, le principe n'a pas vocation à réduire l'incertitude mais au contraire à la porter comme question vivante dans la société. L'enjeu en est l'invention de nouvelles procédures collectives dans le cadre desquelles les acteurs sociaux seront amenés à faire face de façon explicite et raisonnable aux situations de risques. Il y a deux voies concurrentes pour le faire : une logique de décision reposant sur l'expertise et celle s'appuyant sur des procédures " démocratiques ", qui combinent débats publics et implication des citoyens. Est-il possible d'éviter de s'enfermer dans le vieux conflit entre ces deux voies ? L'étude des rôles assumés, le plus souvent de façon tacite, par les groupes d'experts fait ressortir les questions pour lesquelles des procédures d'association des citoyens et de débat public organisé devraient être développées.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Godard, 1999. "De l'usage du principe de précaution en univers controversé : entre débats publics et expertise," Post-Print halshs-00618221, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00618221
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00618221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivier Godard, 1997. "Les enjeux des négociations sur le climat," Post-Print halshs-00624074, HAL.
    2. Olivier Godard, 1997. "Social Decision-Making under Scientific Controversy, Expertise, and the Precautionary Principle," Post-Print halshs-00624027, HAL.
    3. Olivier Godard & Jean Michel Salles, 1991. "Entre nature et société, les jeux de l'irréversibilité dans la construction économique et sociale du champ de l'environnement," Post-Print hal-02961801, HAL.
    4. Claude Henry, 1974. "Investment decisions under uncertainty: The "irreversibility effect"," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/327343, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. Henry, Claude, 1974. "Investment Decisions Under Uncertainty: The "Irreversibility Effect."," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 64(6), pages 1006-1012, December.
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    1. Franco Romerio, 2002. "Which Paradigm for Managing the Risk of Ionizing Radiation?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(1), pages 59-66, February.

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