Why hundreds of road signs across France have had flames added to them

Road signs in hundreds of French communes have been tampered with by activists this month in a bid to highlight the risks of climate change. 

The campaign, headed by activist group ANV-COP21 (Non-Violent Action) began on November 10, coinciding with the start of the COP30 summit in Brazil, a wide-ranging climate summit. 

It has seen them placing ‘flame’ stickers on road signs across the country.

Failure at the summit to agree on fossil fuel restrictions spurred the group to redouble their efforts in recent days.

The stickers say ‘stop sabotage climat’ in bold capital letters, and are bordered by flames that lick the signs, mimicking the potential devastating consequences of climate change. 

Placed on location road signs (notifying drivers of the communes they are entering), the stickers have been spotted in at least two dozen departments and in more than 150 municipalities. 

The increased number of stickers placed this weekend were made “to denounce the sabotage of successive COP negotiations by the leaders of wealthy countries and the fossil fuel industry, directly responsible for the worsening of climate change,” said ANV-COP21, responsible for the campaign, on its website. 

“By affixing flames and the message... in our towns and cities across France, we aim to denounce these climate criminals, raise awareness of their victims, and demand the implementation of concrete and immediate measures to limit climate change and protect populations,” it adds. 

Activists risk penalties

Tampering with road signs in France is illegal, and can see those caught facing fines and prison sentences. 

Article 322-1 of France’s Criminal Code states: that destruction or degradation of another’s property (including road signs owned and managed by local authorities) can lead to a two-year prison sentence or €30,000 fine. 

“The act of drawing inscriptions, signs, or designs, without prior authorisation, on building facades, vehicles, public roads, or street furniture is punishable by a fine of €3,750,” the article continues. 

However, in cases where no damage has been caused by the tampering, this is often replaced instead by community service fines of €200.