Removal of Low Emission Zones: a worrying sign for health

This political choice sends a bad signal at a time when France should instead be strengthening its levers of action to protect public health in compliance with the new European framework on air quality.

A setback for public health

Air pollution remains one of the main environmental health risks in France. It is one of the leading causes of death in France after alcohol and tobacco.

With 40.000 premature deaths linked to air pollution, removing LEZs which allow the reduction of road pollution emissions, without a clearly defined alternative, means depriving ourselves of an additional lever for reducing health impacts.

Moreover, the most exposed populations are also the most vulnerable because they live near major roads and high-traffic areas.

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ): a useful tool, among others, whose acceptability is growing.

According to studies carried out by various approved air quality monitoring associations (AASQA), LEZs contribute to reducing pollutant emissions and improving air quality and only concern territories where pollution levels exceed the regulatory standards of the European directive.

For the Lyon Metropolitan Area, the reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from road traffic estimated between 2018 and 2021 within the ZFE area is 17%, of which 4% is attributable to the implementation of the ZFE for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) classified as "Crit'Air 3", "Crit'Air 4", "Crit'Air 5" and "unclassified" within the ZFE.

Another example: in the Rouen Normandy Metropolitan Area, Atmo Normandie estimated that the renewal of the vehicle fleet and the implementation of the ZFE-m concerning Crit'Air 4, 5 and unclassified vehicles would reduce NOx emissions by 5% compared to the initial period (2017).

However, low-emission zones (LEZs) are not a unique or exclusive tool: Atmo France points out that the sustainable improvement of air quality relies on a coherent set of levers in terms of mobility, urban planning, heating, industry, social support, etc.

It is therefore up to local elected officials to integrate air quality into their mandates, in particular through planning tools such as the Atmosphere Protection Plan (PPA), the Territorial Climate Air Energy Plan (PCAET), etc.

While the implementation of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) may seem controversial, studies show that its social acceptability increases when it is accompanied, explained, and linked to support measures. Existing research, as well as an upcoming IPSOS-Airparif study, demonstrates that citizens are concerned about air quality, believe that policymakers are not doing enough, and expect clearer and fairer public policies.

“More than half of the people living in the Île-de-France region say they are in favor of a low-emission zone (LEZ), including among regular motorists, 51% of whom support it. Among those not opposed to the principle of an LEZ, a large majority (74%) even say they are in favor of stricter regulations,” says Airparif.

Should we really abolish the concept of ZFE (Low Emission Zone)?

The removal of the term ZFE is not limited to a simple change of name: by eliminating the legal concept that framed this system, the communities that volunteered lose a clear tool to deploy it with its accompanying measures, which weakens their ability to continue these actions.

A legal risk and an obstacle to European objectives

This removal threatens France's ability to consolidate the lifting of the legal proceedings initiated by the Council of State and the European Union, particularly for the Paris metropolitan area, which was close to reaching current regulatory values.

It also undermines the achievement of new European objectives by 2030, while the implementation of the European directive on air quality from the end of 2026 sets more ambitious requirements to better protect health.

Beyond the healthcare costs, France (and its taxpayers) faces financial penalties that could reach several billion euros for failing to comply with European obligations. At the European level, this cost is estimated at around 55 billion euros per year for Europeans.

What are the ambitions and resources for air quality?

Beyond the debate surrounding the Low Emission Zones (LEZs), Atmo France is concerned about the lack of action from legislators on air quality. This decision to abolish LEZs raises fundamental questions: what measures does France intend to use to sustainably improve air quality? What resources will be allocated to protect citizens' health and reduce the considerable human, social, and economic costs caused by air pollution?

As a reminder, the cost of air pollution for France, estimated by the Senate in 2015, was 100 billion euros. In 2024, Airparif estimated it at 28 billion euros for the Île-de-France region.

Atmo France calls for a political commitment commensurate with the health challenges. Air quality is not a secondary issue: it is a major investment for public health and the future of our regions!