Artificialization of soils: Rebsamen wants an intermediate objective "in 2034"

Included in the 2021 Climate Law, the ZAN for "zero net artificialization of land" aims to stop urban sprawl by 2050. By this date, any new urbanized area must be offset by the renaturation of an equivalent area.

An intermediate objective set for 2031 plans to halve the rate of artificialization during the decade 2021-2031 compared to the previous decade (2011-2021).

But the senators have tabled a bill which, among other new relaxations, provides for the removal of this intermediate objective, in order to give "more latitude to the regions in setting their regional objectives".

The text is to be discussed in public session on March 12 and 13.

"This bill is based on the fundamental principle of involving local elected officials in defining the implementation of this trajectory" of sobriety, acknowledged the minister, who was questioned by the Senate Economic Affairs Committee.

But contrary to what the senators are proposing, Mr. Rebsamen considered it "essential (...) to have a mid-stage review", in order to "objectively evaluate [the] progress in order to identify the gaps and rectify the trajectory".

"I am in favour of postponing this intermediate milestone initially planned for 2021-2031 to the 2024-2034 observation period because, in practice, the communities from 2021 to 2024 were unable to control their land consumption trajectory in the absence of clear legislation and a management tool," he added.

According to him, this relaxation represents a total of 37.500 additional hectares to be artificialized.

The minister also proposed that the guarantee provided for each municipality, established by the law of July 20, 2023, of a minimum surface area of ​​one hectare, could be pooled on the broader scale of SCoT, territorial coherence plans, and not only on an inter-municipal scale.

Finally, he hopes that the "regional conference" governing the policy of reducing artificialisation can "decide to free itself, if it wishes, from the prescriptive nature of Sraddet", the regional plan for planning, sustainable development and territorial equality.

"The ZAN is not necessarily an obstacle to the development of our territories, it is also a guarantee of the preservation of agricultural sovereignty and a means of reducing our vulnerability to natural risks which are becoming increasingly significant," he concluded.