French climate law

10 February 2021: French President Macron presented a proposal for a new climate bill, called 'Law on climate and resilience' on Wednesday 10 February, aiming to cut French carbon emissions by 40 per cent in 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Among the measures included, the following are relevant for aviation (Articles 35, 36, 37 and 38):

• Domestic flights will be banned if there is a rail alternative under 2.5 hours. A derogation should be allowed for air services which are mainly transporting connecting passengers.
• Emissions from domestic flights will have to be completely offset.
• New airport infrastructure and airports expansions will be limited via a stricter framework.
• Ensure air transport is subject to “sufficient” carbon pricing from 2025 (ideally via a European mechanism). The Government is requested to consider potential measures to achieve this objective, including through an increase in the existing solidarity tax, for application when air traffic would recover to 2019 levels.

Link to the proposal here (in French).