Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Title Bill to restore biodiversity, nature and landscapes Make it work – MIW Edinburgh, December Estelle Sturtzer Cécile Gozler

- 2 - "The bill to restore biodiversity, nature and landscapes aims to protect and value the richness of the natural world. It will enable a new harmony between nature and humans. This gives us a chance to use the strength of the living world to make France a country of environmental excellence and green and blue growth before it is too late." Ségolène Royal, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy

- 3 - Key principles (1/2)  The French Government is committed to a process of modernising environmental law. The aim is to make this law simpler, more readable and more efficient, while ensuring a high level of environmental protection is maintained. → Forum on Modernising Environmental Law  With regard to biodiversity, the aim has been to make France an exemplary country, yet the results of research on nature and the environment reveal a worrying current situation.

- 4 - Key principles (2/2) The bill currently under consideration by Parliament is based on:  A dynamic vision of biodiversity that must be protected for those species and habitats that are remarkable, but also those that are ordinary, because essential ecosystem services rely on that biodiversity.  A principle of ecological solidarity that reflects the interdependence of ecosystems and the necessity of managing environmental policies at all regional levels.  A precautionary principle, which means every project must first seek to avoid environmental impacts, if this is not possible to reduce them, and as a last resort to compensate for them.  A series of graduated tools ranging from contractual instruments to restrictive schemes built on a wide consultation of stakeholders.

- 5 - Main measures (1/3)  Fight against species extinction and added value of landscapes and natural heritage: Intensification of the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastal Protection Agency) efforts and simplification of the procedures applicable to the Parcs naturels régionaux (Regional Natural Parks) Balance between environmental protection and economic development → compensatory measures Protection of animal species and fight against illegal trafficking  Innovation without plundering natural resources: → If a company commercially exploits a molecule that is born out of research on plants / animals / bacteria, it will provide the region from which that molecule came with some of the benefits.

- 6 - Main measures (2/3)  Fight against climate change: Protection of mangroves Creation of ecological continuity → green and blue grids  Balance between human activities and aquatic life: Creation of marine protected areas  Link between health and environment: Natural water treatment Banning of discharges into the sea Banning of disposable plastic bags Banning of aerial pesticide spraying

- 7 - Main measures (3/3)  Creation on 1 January 2016 of the first French agency dedicated to biodiversity to develop new industrial sectors and careers in green growth. → The agency will be able to fund projects to support biodiversity through the Investments for the Future Programmes (Programmes d’Investissements d’Avenir – PIA).

Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Thank you for your attention! Do you have any questions?