France

Introduction

France has a wealth of biodiversity both in the nation itself, and in its overseas territories. Among the 238 main eco-regions identified by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) France and its overseas territories hold 17 eco-regions. The decline and loss of species, due to overexploitation and introduction of non-native species, is well documented. France was one of the first countries to establish a Ministry of Environment (1971) and to adopt a Nature Conservation Act (1976). In 1994 France ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and it is now in the process of implementing its National Biodiversity Strategy (2004).

National/Regional Authorities of Relevance

The French government links biodiversity with sustainable development, and therefore the National Commission for Sustainable Development (CNDD) is entrusted with the guidance of the national strategy for biodiversity. CNDD proposes sector based or local orientations of the strategy, assesses the action plans and suggests priorities. In addition, France has set up a National Monitoring Committee for the Biodiversity Convention under the authority of the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment.

Unique to France is the Environmental Chart developed by the Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development. This chart incorporates the protection of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity with sustainable development policies and regulations. The Environmental Chart was passed on June 25th 2003 and will contribute to the overall direction of biodiversity protection. Click here for more information.

Action Plans

Action plans for the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy are being developed, under the control of networks created in 2003 by the CNDD and the WWF. A report on the directions of the French Biodiversity Strategy, published in February 2004, can be found at www. ecologie.gouv.fr.

For links to France’s first and second National Reports to the CBD, click here.

France is implementing the EU Habitats Directive through the Natura 2000 network at the community level through a variety of organizations. Thus far 1,219 sites have been created and are protected under the Habitats Directive and 174 sites are Zones of Special Protection (ZPS). This accounts for only 2% of their territory (as of 2004) according to Natura 2000, placing France behind many members of the European Union in designating Natura 2000 sites. You can download maps of the Natura network to find out which regions contain ZPS at www.ecologie.gouv.fr.

Key Legislation

France has signed a large number of international and regional conventions relating to the protection of Biodiversity, including RAMSAR, Bern, Bonn, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). For more information on international organisations visit www.businessandbiodiversity.org.

The Environmental Code (n° 2000-914) consists of over one thousand articles which make a group of 39 laws on issues relating to the environment such as:

• the protection of nature
• the quality air and water
• industrial polluting processes
• radioactive waste
• the protection of the countryside

In addition, the 1986 Coast Act recognises that coastlines form an entity which requires specific planning, protection and development policies and the 1964 Water Act establishes an anti-pollution regime. Specific laws relating to the overseas departments such as Guyane and Martinique can be found at www.mnhn.fr. In 1998 France set up the Initiative for Coral Reefs (IFRECOR) in order to protect the coral reefs of its overseas departments.

Taking Action

Since 2001 it has been compulsory for French companies to report on their social, financial and environmental outcomes of their activities in their annual reports. Furthermore, managers of employee savings funds are required to consider social, environmental, and ethical considerations when buying and selling shares.

In January 2005, Paris hosted an international conference on “Biodiversity: Science and Governance.” It seems that up until now, whilst French politicians have convened fairly regularly to discuss biodiversity, French business has been left out of the equation. French President Jacque Chirac seems committed to reverse this trend, though, and involve business more in the national biodiversity strategy. This is an extract from his speech at the “Biodiversity: Science and Governance” conference in January:

“To further reinforce protection of her [France] natural heritage, and in keeping with her commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, France recently adopted a national biodiversity strategy. This has given strong impetus to our nature protection policies. I have asked the government to launch this year a vast campaign to increase public awareness, liaising with the relevant voluntary organizations, whose crucial contribution to vigilance and advance warning are known to all of us. We will succeed also by encouraging an increasing number of companies to act in an exemplary manner, such as, for example, sponsoring a species or an endangered natural environment.”

Company Case Studies

Lafarge

Perrier

Resources

www.mnhn.fr/biodiv/fr - Convention on Biological Diversity’s French page

www.ifen.fr - L'Institut Français de L'environnement (French Institute of the Environment)

www.cnrs.fr - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (French Center for Scientific Research)

www.lesagencesdeleau.fr - Water Agency

www.iucn.org - The World Conservation Union in France

www.planete-nature.org - La Fondation Nicolas Hulot pour la Nature et l’Homme (French Environmental NGO)

www.onf.fr - French Forestry Commission

www.ademe.fr - Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie

www.frenchsif.org/fr - French Social Investment Forum (SIF)

Photo Credit: Charles Pang