MAIN GOALS - GENERAL ACTIVITIES - FIELD OF EXPERTISES

The French Ministry of of Environment, Energy and Sea is responsible for integrated climate energy and environmental policies.It has seven thematic directorates: the General Commission for Sustainable Development, the General Directorate for Energy and Climate, the General Directorate for Infrastructure, Transport and the Sea, the General Directorate for Civil Aviation, the General Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, the General Directorate for Development, Housing and Nature and the General Directorate for Risk Prevention. Some of these directions are shared with the French Ministry of Housing and Territorial Equality. The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Sea has joined forces with the French Ministry of Ministry of Housing and Territorial Equality on climate action and environmental sustainability in the buildings and construction sector. In addition to initiating, developing and implementing its own measures and actions, the Ministries also acts as promoter and coordinator to ensure that authorities in the buildings and construction sector implement relevant environmental policies. The Energy Transition and Green Growth Act of 2015 raised ambition levels to take action in sustainable development. Its main goals include: Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 40% between 1990 and 2030. Reducing final energy consumption by 50% by 2050 compared to 2012 levels. Reducing primary energy consumption of fossil fuels by 30% by 2030 compared to 2012 levels. Increasing the share of renewable energy to 32% of final energy consumption in 2030 and to 40% of electricity production. Diversifying electricity production and reducing the share of nuclear power to 50% by 2025. The buildings sector accounted for 44% of final energy consumption in France in 2012. It is the largest consumer of energy and has a large potential for energy efficiency gains and energy savings. The buildings sector emits 123 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Hence, objectives include renovating buildings to increase their energy efficiency and energy savings, lowering bills and creating employment. The Ministries target 500.000 major housing unit renovations per year, addressing fuel poverty as a priority. At the same time, the energy performance of buildings is targeted and all buildings should comply with the low consumption building standard in 2050. Exchanges with and peer learning from other countries is envisioned to achieve these goals. As host of COP21, France initiated the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GABC), which was launched by Mrs Ségolène Royal during the first Buidings Day on 3 December 2015. France continues to be a key member and supporter of the GABC.