It is the longest debated law of the Fifth Republic. After more than one hundred and ten hours of discussion, the National Assembly adopted the 69 articles of the Climate and Resilience Acton Tuesday 4 May 2021.

A step forward for the climate and important and unprecedented changes to come for our country to reach the national objective of reducing national greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030.

Strongly contested, qualified as insufficient by some, as punitive ecology by others, what are the main projects of this law and how will it impact your activity?

Here are 5 key measures that have caught our attention and may be relevant to your business:

ARTICLE 1: CREATION OF A "CO2 SCORE" TO DISPLAY THE IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE OF GOODS AND SERVICES CONSUMED BY THE FRENCH:

This is the first article of the Climate and Resilience Bill. It takes up the citizens' proposal to introduce a climate display on goods and services informing on the climate impact of products and services, called CO2 score. The bill also provides for the possibility of making this display compulsory progressively on the different ranges of products and services as the experimentation results come in, subject to compatibility with European law. A decree will also define the criteria for evaluating on this basis the goods and services with the most excessive impact on the climate in their category.

OBJECTIVE: To inform consumers so that they can choose products with the least impact on the environment. To encourage companies to eco-design their products to reduce their impact on the climate and benefit from the best CO2 score.

HOW: A common methodology will be put in place and, following a trial phase, the display of the climate impact of certain products and services intended for French consumers will be compulsory in accordance with Community law.

I anticipate for my company : By improving my knowledge of the supply chain of my product(s) so that I can easily gather the information needed to measure their environmental impact.

ARTICLE 5: REGULATION OF ADVERTISING :

Codes of conduct will be signed with companies to reduce audiovisual commercial communications about products that have a significant impact on the environment. For example, it will be forbidden to make unsubstantiated claims in advertising that a product or service is carbon-neutral, climate-neutral, or any other formulation with a similar purpose and meaning.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce greenwashing by mobilising all advertising stakeholders (communicators, broadcasters and advertisers) for more responsible advertising that supports the ecological transition.

HOW: The CSA will report on compliance with these codes of conduct in its annual report.

I anticipate for my company: By being attentive to the vocabulary I use and by committing to real, sustainable and measurable actions to include my activity in the ecological transition.

ARTICLE 24: EXTENSION OF THE OBLIGATION TO INSTALL RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OR GREEN ROOFS ON COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND WAREHOUSES BY LOWERING THE THRESHOLD FROM 1 000 M² TO 500 M²:

The useful commercial area covers all areas used for the sale of services or products. The article also extends the scope to building extensions and constructions for wholesale trade.

OBJECTIVE: To allow the development of photovoltaic systems on this type of building and to accelerate the development of renewable energy without consuming land.

HOW: By lowering the threshold for mandatory installation from 1,000 m² to 500 m².

I anticipate for my company: By calling on an expert in the installation of renewable energy production systems. We have a network of experts in France and Spain to support you, as well as an excellent knowledge of existing financing schemes. Contact us at contact@avvena.com

ARTICLE 38: CARBON OFFSETTING OF DOMESTIC FLIGHT EMISSIONS :

In addition to the regulatory compensation already in force, domestic air operators will, from 2022 onwards, have to pay a mandatory air compensation of 50% of domestic flights, which will be progressively increased each year to reach 100% of such flights in 2024.

OBJECTIVE: To significantly reduce the impact of the aviation sector on the climate; To finance nature protection projects, in France and abroad, such as forest protection or the development of agroecology; To make France one of the first countries in the world to make a carbon offsetting system mandatory for the aviation sector.

HOW: In order to guarantee the environmental benefit of the measure, the types of carbon credits that can be used will be regulated, aiming in particular to favour carbon sinks and projects supported in France as well as European projects.

I anticipate for my company: By starting now to raise awareness among my clients and partners. By securing a volume and price of quality carbon credits with one of our carbon experts in contact@avvena.com

ARTICLE 60: 50% OF MEALS TO BE MADE UP OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS OR PRODUCTS BEARING SIGNS OF ORIGIN AND QUALITY (INCLUDING 20% OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS) IN ALL COLLECTIVE CATERING:

As soon as this provision comes into force, private collective catering (e.g. company restaurants) will have until 2025 to serve meals containing 50% sustainable and quality products, including 20% organic products.

OBJECTIVE: To offer quality food to a large number of French people in canteens, company restaurants and retirement homes; to support the development of quality agricultural products that are better paid for farmers and more respectful of the environment.

HOW: With the obligation to offer 50% quality products, including 20% organic products, from 2022 for public sector catering and by 2025 for private sector catering.

I anticipate for my company: By rethinking my catering service and training the staff involved in sustainable catering.