ADEME


http://www.ademe.fr

The French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), which reports to the ministries of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Research and Industry, is actively involved in the implementation of national policies pertaining to the environment and energy issues.
ADEME advises local authorities and business, and provides financial support for their projects.
The agency conducts information campaigns designed to foster changes in the behaviour of actors in the economy and the general public.
ADEME comprises specialised technical departments and a strong local presence, with regional delegations.
The agency administers an annual budget of close to 458 million euros.

Areas of activities : Air quality, Waste (household, industrial, toxics), Polluted sites, Energy management, Promotion of renewable energy, Environmental management, Noise abatement.

3 priorities towards sustainable development

  • Creating an economy of waste management compatible with the environment :

    • ADEME provides support to help authorities develop source separation and waste treatment schemes. The agency's objective is to guarantee the economic viability of activities that obtain value from waste : collective management of ordinary industrial waste, creation of activities to extract value from fermentable waste of end-of-life products, reduction of waste at the source.
  • A long-term commitment to energy management

    • Energy conservation and the development of renewable energy resources increase our energy independence and constitute the main factors for reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating the greenhouse effect in keeping with the commitments made in Kyoto. In parallel with steps to hold down energy consumption, ADEME is working to improve the cost-effectiveness and ongoing stability of renewable energy activities that bolster local development and jobs.
  • Reducing air pollution and improving transport

    • Active in building an air quality monitoring network for France as stipulated by national air quality legislation, ADEME is also involved in enhancing our knowledge of air pollution, its causes and health impacts. The agency also provides funding for investment in pollution reduction equipment in industry, thus helping cut back emissions. ADEME also encourages the use of public transport and vehicles that emit less pollution. The agency works with local authorities in drawing up urban development and land use policies.

3 areas of expertise

  • Stimulate research and development with a view to obtaining economic and social benefits from research funded by the agency, via job creation and the emergence of new businesses.
  • Advisory and decision-making assistance in the form of technical and financial aid schemes targeting local authorities and businesses.
  • Dissemination of best practices, reinforcing the synergy between research policy and market penetration of processes.

European and International Action…

ADEME has a significant presence in Europe and on the international scene. The agency has consolidated a vast network of specialists, enabling it to pursue activities in emerging and developing economies as well as in industrialised countries, most notably by providing assistance in devising and implementing energy and environmental policies and programmes. ADEME takes part in work for the monitoring and application of international agreements pertaining to sustainable development and climate change, particularly through activities supporting the emergence of projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and Third Countries. ADEME initiates and provides leadership in partnerships with its counterpart organisations in Europe and the Mediterranean region (MEDENER). The agency plays an active role in the work carried out by networks such as AGRICE, ECEEE, OPET, …

… within the European Union and in Central and Eastern Europe

ADEME works with the European Union on the expert assessment of pre-regulatory texts and standards. The agency is also involved in project support schemes such as SAVE, ALTENER, LIFE, PHARE, TACIS, OPET,…
ADEME contributes to the enlargement of the European Union by implementing or supporting projects to create "sister" institution relationships with environment ministries in countries that are candidates to join the European Union (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania…).
ADEME is the National Contact Point for the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme under the European Commission's Fifth Research and Development Framework Programme.

… with Third Countries

ADEME is a partner in the development of South countries, working with various actors and sources of funding to initiate and consolidate interaction and synergy (Foreign Affairs Ministry, French Global Environment Fund) for bilateral funding ; (European Commission, World Bank) for multilateral funding.
In collaboration with its partners ADEME contributes to sustainable development through integrated pilot programmes focusing on the following :
  • institutional capacity building
  • demand-side management
  • decentralised rural electrification
  • waste management
  • air quality monitoring networks.
ADEME has built up its role as a federating force, receiving increasing recognition internationally, through its activity in submitting bids in response to calls for tenders, and its ability to further the promotion of technologies and services by giving impetus to networks of actors and facilitating access to international credits.