Pioneer of ecology since the 1970s, and in parallel with his beginnings in politics, René Longet is also committed to the rights of indigenous peoples. He joined the National Council (1982) where he distinguished himself by his humanist commitment. Mayor of the city of Onex between 1999 and 2011, he was also an editor for the Swiss WWF, a member of the Swiss delegation to the UN world summits on sustainable development and a member of the board of directors of SIG since 2012.

Guest in the Transition Workshop in 2023 and expert since 2024.