Les mesures pour lutter contre la pollution de l’air extérieur

• The 1979 Geneva Convention is the foundation of international law for combating air pollution. It currently brings together around fifty countries from Europe, Central Asia, as well as the United States and Canada. It requires signatory states to take measures to reduce atmospheric pollutant emissions. It also encourages scientific cooperation on monitoring and reducing pollution.

The World Health Organization publishes global air quality guidelines, with thresholds to respect for major pollutants. They serve as a scientific basis for national and international standards.

The European Union has adopted several laws to combat air pollution and reduce pollutant emissions. These laws require member states to assess their pollutant emissions, develop national emission reduction plans, and comply with concentration limits to protect health and the environment.

In accordance with international and European guidelines, France has implemented the "National Plan for Reducing Atmospheric Pollutant Emissions." This national plan includes:

• Regulations, for example on carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and combustion heating appliances; • Tax incentives, such as subsidies for replacing gasoline vehicles and wood-fired heating systems; • Awareness and mobilization actions, including National Air Quality Day and the National Air Council; • Actions to improve knowledge.

The plan applies to industry, transport, residential and tertiary sectors, and agriculture. It sets new targets every four years.

The French government spent a total of 1.9 billion euros in 2022 for outdoor air protection, mainly through subsidies for purchasing low-emission vehicles (rebates for electric or rechargeable hybrid cars) and condensing boilers.

Additionally, "Atmospheric Protection Plans" are implemented locally in cities and regions where air pollution regulatory thresholds are exceeded or at risk of being exceeded. These plans implement permanent measures and temporary emergency measures to reduce air pollution in the affected area.