Change in greenhouse gas emission regulations
The decree n° 2015-1738 of the 24th of December 2015, concerning the levels of greenhouse gas emissions, has brought changes to the Environmental Code in order to adapt to the changing periodicity of establishing greenhouse gas emission assessments that companies more than 500 employees (250 in the case of overseas) are required to carry out. This periodicity was extended from three to four years by the order of 24 December 2015 concerning greenhouse gas emission levels and energy audits.
The decree also specifies the rules on the collection of the information necessary for monitoring and controlling greenhouse gas emission levels and energy audits and explicitly states that the collection will be operated via a software platform managed by the Agency of the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME). The decree is set to provide business groups with an opportunity to establish a consolidated greenhouse gas emission balance sheet. It also specifies the terms of the sanctions put in place for systems failing to achieve the necessary greenhouse gas emission levels, retaining the principle of a fine not exceeding € 1,500.
The intended recipients of these rules are the legal representatives of private companies having over 500 employees in France and more than 250 employees overseas; the legal representatives of public entities of over 250 people; local authorities and the State.
The decree came into force on the 1st of January 2016.
