[en] After having recalled the scientific context and some definitions, this report aims at proposing an overview of the state-of-the-art in the field of economy of natural risks and climate change in order to allow a better understanding of past events and of critical points for the next decades. It is in fact a synthesis of works performed by technical and economic experts. A first part, based on scientific works, explains the increase of costs of natural risks which has been noticed in the 21. century. It discusses the influence of climate change on this increase (modelling studies on clay movements, coastal risks, flooding, forest fires, wind effects, landslides and avalanches). It examines the possible consequences of climate change on natural hazards in France during the century. The last part examines the possibility to economically assess these potential future impacts

[en] The purpose of this article is to detail the carbon footprint of biofuels and to show the mechanisms and impacts of indirect land use changes (ILUC), which are linked to the production of first generation biofuels. Two studies, finalized in France in 2012, confirm the importance of ILUC linked to biofuel development in France and the European Union, and converge with the European Commission research. Despite of some methodological difficulties to quantify this phenomenon, it appears necessary to take ILUC into account when deciding on public policies that encourage production of biofuels. To combat ILUC the European Commission has considered four strategies that we analyze and compare within this article. In October 2012 the European Commission proposed to take into account estimated ILUC values when evaluating biofuels, in order to limit the share of first generation biofuels in the European objectives and to encourage the development of second generation biofuels, which do not interfere with world food production. This legislative proposal is subject to debate during the first half of 2013 under the Irish Presidency of the European Council. (authors)

[en] Within the General Commission for Sustainable Development, the Service for Economics, Assessment and Integration of Sustainable Development is in charge of developing and promoting the economic valuation of policies, regulations, environmental goods and services, related to biodiversity, natural assets and environmental amenities. On December 10, 2014, it held the fifth annual seminar on monetary valuation of environmental goods, services and impacts. The first four editions respectively were devoted to economic valuation methods of environmental goods and services, implementations of these methods, uses of monetary values and methodological innovations; the 2014 seminar addressed the variability of monetary values. The ten presentations of the seminar explored the different values resulting from monetary valuation methods: what do they mean? What do they measure? Why are they relevant to integrate environmental valuation in the various economic sectors? From both a theoretical and practical point of view, theses questions were addressed by considering three main topics: the integration of environmental value in market prices, the different meanings of carbon values and the temporal variability of values used in assessment of investment projects in the transport sector. Those conferences are aimed for experts and practitioners of monetary valuation techniques as well as for users of the values produced. They provide a place to gather and facilitate dialogue between representatives from universities, government agencies and private sector involved in these issues. (authors)

[en] The information gathered from the consultation for the new NAP and presented in this document (both in the form of thematic sets of recommendations and reference documents) does not fully reflect the breadth of reflection on the subject. Indeed, in certain sectors - such as transport and infrastructure or forestry - the concept has been considered for several years, and adaptation to climate change already figures among the main concerns of many operators in these sectors. Beyond the thematic sets of recommendations that reflect the state of collective thinking on the topic, the true value of the consultation process also resides in the vitality of the dynamic, which has been amplified since the establishment of the Adaptation Strategy in 2006. There can be no doubt that France's hosting of the COP21, and the conclusion and ratification of the Paris Agreement to limit temperature increases at a sustainable level for humans, had a major mobilising effect on the country. The recurrence of droughts and heat waves over the course of recent decades has also played a key role in driving greater awareness among the wider population and political decision makers. This context, particularly favourable to question the adaptation actions that need to be taken, is boosted by the availability of powerful tools such as regionalized climate change projections, and new information regarding extreme climate events or rising sea levels. The years 2016 and 2017 were particularly fruitful in terms of transforming the energy of the adaptation movement into concrete suggestions and orientations for climate action, including in certain sectors which until now had been under-involved in the process. Owing to this movement and the constructive contributions of the participants in the national consultation, the information contained in this report will feed into the 2. NAP announced in Objective 19 of France's Climate Plan, presented on July 6, 2017 by France's Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition. The recommendations published will continue to serve as a guide for national adaptation policies, even beyond the 2. NAP. The success of the new plan will be measured essentially by its ability to mobilise every stakeholder involved, via a coordinated approach whose progress can be objectively measured. This renewed approach to adaptation to climate change will provide a significant contribution to France climate policy, which aims to lead us towards a low-carbon and resilient society, adapted to climate change, and in a broader sense will also help bring about France's ecological and inclusive transition

[en] A first publication aims at highlighting financial issues of a green growth while relating funding issues and the global economy of concerned investments and policies. Its contributions aim at providing a large overview by addressing conditions of mobilisation of the private sector and the State's role. Policies and projects aimed at innovation and green sectors are also precisely examined. Contributions address the following issues: the origin of investments for a low-carbon global energy system, the relationship between long-term investments and green growth funding, the issues of sustainable finance and responsible investment, the energy mutation in front of budgetary constraints, carbon price as a catalyst of a new growth, environmental and technological policies at the service of innovation for a green growth, and the evolution towards a steady and efficient sustainable framework for renewable energies. A second publication discusses issues and difficulties faced by the funding of a green growth in relationship with financial regulation. The authors discuss the relationship between green growth and investment, various funding instruments, debates and controversies about ways to overcome barriers to green investments, the emergence of new financial regulations, the evolutions and situations of long-term investment in Europe and of green investment, and the issue of infrastructures

[en] Highlights: • Trace elements were measured in various components of coral reef trophic networks. • Organic matter sources, invertebrates and fish showed different concentrations. • Two food webs constituted the most important transfer pathways of trace elements. • Biomagnification along food webs was confirmed for Hg (suggested for Se and Zn). The integration, accumulation and transfer of trace elements across the main tropic levels of many food webs are poorly documented. This is notably the case for the complex trophic webs of coral reef ecosystems. Our results show that in the south-west lagoon of New Caledonia both abiotic (i.e. sediments) and biotic (i.e. primary producers, consumers and predators) compartments are contaminated by trace elements. However, our analyses revealed different contamination patterns from the sources of organic matter to the predators. The trophic levels involved in the sedimentary benthic food web (S-BFW, based on the sedimentary organic matter) and to a lesser extent in the reef benthic food web (R-BFW, based on algal turf) were mainly contaminated by trace elements that originate from mining activities like Ni and associated trace elements (Co, Cr, Fe, and Mn). Trace elements linked to agro-industrial (As, Hg, and Zn) and urban (Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, and V) activities were also integrated into the S-BFW, but preferentially into the R-BFW, and to a lesser extent into the detrital benthic food web (D-BFW, supplied by sea-grass plants). Most of the trace elements were biodiminished with increasing trophic levels along food webs. However, a marked biomagnification was observed for Hg, and suspected for Se and Zn. These results provide important baseline information to better interpret trace element contamination in the different organisms and trophic levels in a highly diversified coral reef lagoon.

[en] Within the Department of the General Commissioner for Sustainable Development, the Division for Economics, Assessment and Integration of Sustainable Development is in charge of developing and promoting the economic valuation of policies, regulations, environmental goods and services, related to biodiversity, natural assets and environmental amenities. On December 19, 2013, this department held the fourth annual seminar on monetary valuation of environmental goods, services and impacts. The three first editions were respectively devoted to economic valuation methods of environmental goods and services, their implementation and the use of monetary values resulting from these methods. The 2013 seminar addressed methodological innovations and the way they contribute to decision in private sector and in policy-making process, in domains such as environmental debt, circular economy or health impact of environment. Those conferences are aimed at experts and practitioners of monetary valuation techniques as well as at users of the values produced. They provide a place to gather and facilitate dialogue between representatives from universities, government agencies and private sector involved in these issues. (authors)