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20 / 08 / 2010

France passes a law reaffirming its commitment to the environment

The "Loi Grenelle 2" contains measures that will affect the transport sector as well as energy and climate management and the information provided to users and consumers.

On 12 July, France passed a law reaffirming the national commitment to the environment. Its contents, which were published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française, signify improvements and specific changes in various areas.

As concerns transport, the Law adapts the current legislation with the aim of promoting the use of sustainable means of transport and reducing the damage caused by traditional means of transport. The "Loi Grenelle 2" gives powers to local authorities regarding sustainable mobility and establishes a toll system with the aim of reducing future damage caused to the environment by road traffic. With these measures the French law’s chief aim is to fight against the damage transport causes to the environment, reabsorbing traffic congestion, reducing wear on infrastructures and improving road safety.

In relation to energy and climate, the French law places special emphasis on reducing energy consumption and preventing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It obliges certain regional authorities to produce climate, air and energy “maps”. These maps envisage a minimum required content which includes pollutant and GHG emissions inventories, an energy balance and assessments of potential renewable energy, air quality and possible improvements that could be carried out.

The law also envisages that public authorities and private companies with more than 500 employees will be obliged to produce GHG emissions inventories and plan measures to reduce such emissions.

Lastly, the "Loi Grenelle 2" has started an experimental consumer information system about the carbon footprint of the products available to them, as well as the possibility of including information about the CO₂ attributed to these products on their labels, so that consumers can, based on this information, choose those that have less environmental impact. This system also extends the obligation to report GHG emissions to the transport of passengers and goods.

Through this law France has put itself at the head of legislation in the European Union and reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against the negative effects of humans on the environment, energy and climate change.