n°21 Spring : Sommaire

EDITORIAL
FOCUS Putting buildings on an energy diet The European Union expects to adopt a directive on building energy performance this year. The goal: to reduce the energy dependence of its Member States and the emission of greenhouse gases.			KNOW-HOW French know-how in the area of air quality monitoring Over the past few years, France has expanded its air monitoring apparatus, and is also getting a jump on future European directives.
CASE BY CASE A shining example of a multi-modal hub By balancing different types of transport, the port of Gennevilliers supports environmental policies and offers cheaper solutions to a diversified industrial fabric. Produce farmers pitch in to clean up A major drive to dispose of used plastic film in the agricultural sector was carried out near Nantes in 2000. Since then, film wastes have been collected and recycled on a regular basis.			WORLDWIDE A guide for “green hotels” in Vietnam Energy savings and an environmental approach are the main ingredients of the “green hotel” concept now catching on in Vietnam. Europe makes progress on organic waste The recycling of organic household waste is widespread in northern Europe. Other European countries are now following suit, spurred by incentives and pilot programmes.

Editorial
	Developing electricity from renewable energy sources The European directive on electricity from renewable energy sources (RES) was adopted last summer. Accordingly, France has agreed to boost its consumption of RES electricity to 21% by 2010, as compared with 15% now. Wind power, biomass and small hydraulic power plants will be the primary means of achieving this increase. To help it live up to its commitments, the French government has adopted a series of measures whose effects should be felt quickly. These include the purchase pricing of wind power and power generated by small hydraulic plants (the pricing of biomass is still pending), multi-year programming of power generation investments, simplified administrative procedures, and clear, open rules for the access to the power grid. Just one more decisive element is needed for this ambitious gamble to pay off: the support of the people, which will be essential in developing widely decentralized energy sources throughout the country. This will be the great challenge of the next few years, and we can learn a lot from the experience of our European neighbours. The major strides made in Denmark, Spain and Germany will enable France to adopt the best practices established in those countries. Now more than ever, European nations must work together to achieve the goal of sustainable development. Jean-Louis Bal Deputy director for renewable energies and building