The French government unveiled on Monday its first-of-a-kind ‘water plan’, intended to guide 12 industrial sites like those of companies like ArcelorMittal, Saint-Gobain and TotalEnergies in reducing water consumption.
These 12 industrial sites, which are part of a wide array of sectors including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, metallurgy, construction, semiconductors and food, will benefit from tailored government support schemes to reduce their overall water consumption, Environment Minister Christophe Béchu announced on Monday.
This follows a ministerial visit to leading French vinyl (PVC) manufacturer Kem One, a water-intensive plant at the heart of high hydric-stress areas.
Béchu’s announcement is the first application of French President Emmanual Macron’s ‘water plan’ unveiled last March, aiming to reduce the country’s overall water consumption by 10% by 2030. The site list is due to grow to 50 by September.
Relevant business federations will aim to outline what their current water needs and usages are before coming up with structured plans, in partnership with government administrations, to reduce overall consumption.
Industry accounted for more than 6% of total country water consumption, according to 2021 data gathered by specialised public body Eaufrance. Water usage has seen a 17% decrease across the board since 2018, Eaufrance further found.
The government will also invest a fresh €100 million to support a series of water-reducing innovations.
During his announcements, Béchu was accompanied by the country’s industry and biodiversity ministers: a sign water issues are at the centre stage of public debate amid historic droughts, an increased number of wildfires, and unprecedented heat waves across France and Europe.
(Paul Messad | EURACTIV.fr)
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