In favor of healthy and fair Low Emissions Zones in France : Towards the mobility transition

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Description en une ligne : This white paper "In favor of healthy and fair Low Emissions Zones in France : Towards the mobility transition" was produced by the Fabrique des Mobilités in partnership with the Respire association and Clean Cities Campaign. It contains :

- an analysis focusing on 4 key issues (usefulness, availability, fairness, organization),

- a 5-pronged strategy and 10 key measures,

- 34 measures in total,

- and a wealth of resources: figures, visuals, bibliography, list of some fifty additional ideas for measures…

Description :

Introduction

At Fabrique des Mobilités we used our expertise in mobility and commons to produce a systemic, global approach to this complex subject. LEZs involve social, environmental and economic aspects, yet are often thought of in silos. The report offers a strategic plan, primarily aimed at the French government for nationwide application, with the aim of enabling all citizens to benefit from a mobility offer adapted to their income and aiming to greater sobriety.

This report was produced between January and June 2023. It is based on structured documentary research (see Bibliography below), interviews with 22 different stakeholders, a one-day workshop with 30 people at the end of May 2023, and follow-up by various associations including Secours Catholique throughout the work. It was written by Marguerite Grandjean with Frédéric Nicolaïdis, Antoine Dupont and Ghislain Delabie from Fabmob and Tony Renucci from Respire.

LEZs are a unique opportunity to support the transition to mobility away from road-only. Like the laws on thermal renovation and "zero net land artificialisation", LEZs are one of the first steps in the ecological transition. They require an effort from everyone - citizens, businesses, local authorities and the State - provided that the public authorities ensure fairness for the most vulnerable. Understood systemically and over time, LEZs are a unique opportunity to set an example for all future ecological transition measures.

Therefore we propose a coherent strategy made of concrete measures, to be implemented now, for results in the short, medium and long term.

Secure the LEZs to respond to immediate difficulties and criticisms, for short-term results: unified timetable for the 43 cities concerned, integration of weight in the Crit'Air classification (upgrade in Crit’Air class for small combustion vehicles and downgrade for large combustion vehicles), targeting of aid to the most disadvantaged.
Prepare tomorrow's car fleets by sending a signal to automakers, with medium-term results: make the greening of business fleets mandatory, to prepare the second-hand market; include the production of small electric vehicles in the next automotive industry contract; and structure a light midsize vehicle industry.
Plan alternatives to road transport in a systemic way, for medium- to long-term results: through a 7-year programming law (2023-2030), take into account in a systemic way the different dimensions of alternatives to road transport (public transport, shared mobility, active mobility, intermodality, but also land use planning, urban planning, digital technology).

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What is a LEZ?

LEZs (Low Emission Zones) in France are a set perimeter in an urban area within which vehicles exceeding a certain pollution norm for fine particles and polluting gases are subject to trafic restrictions up to a total ban. 11 urban areas have already introduced a LEZ since 2020. 43 urban areas of +150,000 inhabitants are required to set up a LEZ by January 1, 2025 (with the parameters they choose). Among these, 5 urban areas must follow a specific timetable (banning Crit'Air 5 in 2023, Crit'Air 4 in 2024 and Crit'Air 3 in 2025).

Understanding the LEZ context in France

Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) in France have not been sufficiently anticipated and have many impacts on the lives of citizens and professionals. But actions can be taken to mitigate these impacts and ensure that LEZs become a useful and equitable public policy tool.
LEZs have a signifiant impact on improving air quality and public health, provided they are sufficiently robust.
LEZs have a larger impact than health and air quality. They also influence the climate, city development and public space management, the role of cars in the city, and the transition away from road mobility. The implementation of LEZs must take these impacts into account.
LEZs are not just about electrifying fleets. Facing a vehicle ban, the first question to ask is: How can the journey be made without a vehicle? Then, the second question is that of phasing: At each phase of the measure, are there enough vehicles eligible to enter the LEZ? Not all polluting vehicles will be banned at the same time.
LEZs require a commitment, even a price to pay, from everyone: citizens, companies and public authorities. Yet the welfare state must ensure this effort is borne equitably and support the most vulnerable people affected by the scheme. This clear and fair approach must be plainly communicated.
LEZs are a unique opportunity to set an example for future ecological transition policies. The link between short and long terms can be achieved through systemic mobility planning, which brings immediate responses to the consequences of vehicle bans, while also preparing now for alternative forms of mobility.

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The 4 key issues of LEZs (source : Fabmob

Key challenges for LEZs

Based on our interviews and existing documentation, we have identified 4 key issues for LEZs in France (see figure on the side). These issues are sometimes well identified in mainstream media, sometimes less so. All stakeholders are concerned by some or all of these issues. If they remain misunderstood and inconsidered in public and industrial policy decisions, these 4 issues will become blockages, if they aren't already.

The strategic action plan

This action plan is aimed at the national government, in its regulatory and coordinating roles. It concentrates on the priority actions required to ensure the minimum conditions for LEZ success. The overall objective is to enable all citizens to benefit from a mobility offer adapted to their income, with a view to reducing the overall consumption of mobility. This is more of a strategy than a list of recommendations, so it does not deal with every subject concerning LEZs, but rather it selects what we consider to be the most urgent and important. The figure below summarizes the strategic action plan.

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A strategic action plan (Source Fabmob)