Environment and ecology: What's new in France in 2026

Low-emissions zones

A decision on the possible abolition of ZFE low-emissions zones may be decided early in the year, when MPs and senators in a mixed committee consider a bill on ‘simplification of economic life’.

If the final text includes the measure, it could still be struck out by the Conseil constitutionnel. If passed, it will stop the roll-out of these zones – which were planned in all urban areas of 150,000 inhabitants or more – and those already existing (25 so far) will be abolished. Some cities could still put in place other similar measures on a local level.

Cars driving in these areas would no longer be restricted by the ZFE rules, which limit access for older, more polluting vehicles, notably Crit’Air 4 and 5 cars, first registered before 2006, as well as older vans and lorries and vehicles too old to have a Crit’Air rating.

Home energy 

The way in which home energy efficiency tests (DPEs) are calculated will change so that properties heated by electricity are no longer penalised.

Electricity is seen by the government as a fairly clean and sustainable energy source, as most in France is not produced by fossil fuels (as opposed to oil and gas, which are largely imported).

The change should mean many small flats and electric-heated houses will see their ratings rise, easing renovation requirements and potentially boosting the property's value.

Also, all buildings set up as copropriétés (eg. blocks of flats) are required to have a DPE for the building as a whole - not just individual homes - since January 1.

Wind farms 

New offshore wind farms are set to open 15km from the coasts of Dieppe and Le Tréport (Seine-Maritime), and also at Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude). The latter project, called Eolmed, will use floating turbines.

Paris Climate School 

The prestigious grande école Sciences Po Paris is launching Europe’s first school dedicated to sustainable solutions to major environmental challenges: 100 students will be selected to join the Paris Climate School for the 2026-2027 year.

“The Paris Climate School will be the first European school to offer a degree in human and social sciences dedicated to the ecological transition”, said Sciences Po on its website, explaining that its aim is to “train the new generation of public and private decision-makers capable of leading the environmental transformation of our societies”.

Climate clauses 

A 2021 law on climate change states that by August 22, 2026 at the latest, all public sector contracts for works and services must include clauses on ecological and climate impacts. This means anything commissioned by the state or local authorities should factor in sustainability and energy performance.

High seas treaty 

A new High Seas Treaty, to which France is a signatory and which President Emmanuel Macron has backed, comes into force in early 2026, aiming to better regulate and manage international waters, which represent two-thirds of the ocean. 

It will include environmental impact assessments on human activities and establish a framework for creating zones designated for the protection of biodiversity.

Microplastics 

France introduced a ban on microplastics in rinse-off cosmetic products such as shampoos, shower gels and make-up removers on January 1.

Packaging 

New EU rules on packaging come into force in August, which state that products sold must eliminate unnecessary packaging. Progressively, they must also ensure that packaging is recyclable, and that if plastic is used a proportion of it must have been recycled. 

New rules also come into force from January covering packaging for products used in the catering industry and by other professionals, whereby suppliers must take responsibility for organising the packaging collection and recycling.