Voluntary Agreements with Industry to Reduce GHG Emissions and Conserve Energy

The government has approved a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reductions framework proposal made by French companies in July 2002 (first presented at the end of 2001). Voluntary agreements have been signed with six partners (branches or industries): aluminium (the Pechiney Group), cement industry, fat lime and magnesia lime manufacturers, the French steel federation, glass packaging industry, and the  "3 Suisses-France" (a large mail order company). Negotiations are under way with the French Smelters Union. In other branches such as chemicals, paper and agro-food industries, discussions have taken place but no agreement has yet been reached. All gases considered by the Kyoto Protocol are included under the scheme. In order to reduce their emissions, companies will have the possibility of:

- Improving the energy efficiency of their production sites.

- Reducing emissions linked to buildings under their responsibility and transport patterns.

- Using an experimental national emissions trading scheme to be launched in 2003, after-which the EU community scheme will be used (planned for 2005).

- Using flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto protocol.

 

Emissions reduction will be monitored by an independent management association. If objectives are not achieved by the milestone dates of 2004 and 2007, companies will have to pay a fine. The funds collected from these fines will then be reinvested in climate change mitigation projects.