Politics · France · 9 hrs ago
France ends several energy renovation programmes, drawing protests
The French government has decided not to renew at least four energy programmes after they end this year.
The affected schemes support low-income households with home renovations and accessible transport, and help local authorities improve public buildings.
The government says it wants to focus energy-saving certificates on electrification, including measures such as electric-car leasing and heat pumps.
A school-renovation programme, Actee, will continue for a few months, but support for adapting schools to heat is reduced from 12,500 to 2,500 schools.
Local officials and programme groups say the changes will weaken help for climate adaptation and people on low incomes.
They argue that Actee gives local authorities access to experts they may not have themselves.
The government says this is a choice to prioritise available funding, not a budget-cutting measure; the affected programmes are due to end or change on the timelines given by the government.
The French government has ended several energy renovation programmes for local authorities and low-income households, prompting protests from local officials and sector groups.
At least four programmes will not be renewed at the end of 2026, while the Actee programme will continue for a limited period.
The government says it is redirecting energy-savings certificates towards electrification and denies that the decision is a budget-cutting measure.
Local officials say the changes will sharply reduce support for adapting schools to heat, while groups warn that vulnerable households will lose assistance.
Sources differ on Actee’s revised scope and end date: BFM Business reports support for 2,500 schools through 2027, while franceinfo says the programme will run until mid-2027.
- Who
- The French government is ending or changing several programmes. Local officials and energy-renovation groups are protesting.
- What
- At least four programmes will not be renewed, and support for school renovations through Actee is being reduced or extended for a limited time.
- When
- The decision was reported on 29 October 2026. The programmes are due to end or not be renewed at the end of 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The government says it wants to focus energy-savings certificates on electrification and energy sovereignty. Critics say the changes weaken support for school adaptation and vulnerable households.
French government
Local officials and energy-renovation groups
Reason for the decision
French government
The government says it is prioritising available resources for effective electrification measures, not making budget cuts.
Local officials and energy-renovation groups
Critics say the decision undermines proven renovation and energy-poverty programmes and will abandon vulnerable households.
Actee and school support
French government
The government says Actee will be extended until mid-2027.
Local officials and energy-renovation groups
Officials say the school programme’s planned reach has been cut from 12,500 schools to 2,500.
A plan was announced to support 12,500 educational establishments, prioritising those most exposed to heat.
The funding announced for school thermal renovation was reduced by 40 million euros.
An order formally extended the Actee programme on paper until 31 December 2027.
The government’s decision to end or change several programmes was reported, prompting protests from local officials and sector groups.
- Programmes not renewed
- At least four, at the end of 2026
- Actee extension
- Until mid-2027, according to the Energy Ministry as reported by franceinfo
- School support
- 2,500 schools, compared with 12,500 initially planned, according to BFM Business
- Actee schools supported
- More than 6,000 since the programme began in 2019, according to its director
- Tims and Slime
- More than 300,000 people supported, according to the Cler network
3 sources
"Cette décision est un contre-sens": des élus protestent contre l'arrêt d'un programme d'aides à la rénovation thermique des écoles
"C'est abandonner les ménages les plus précaires" : le gouvernement supprime plusieurs programmes de rénovation énergétique et déclenche la colère des acteurs de la filière
Le gouvernement met fin à plusieurs programmes de lutte contre la précarité énergétique
What people are saying
This is a completely incomprehensible decision.
This decision is counterproductive: it breaks the momentum for renovation as the municipal term begins, heatwaves have closed schools, energy prices are soaring and investments are being planned.
Ending the funding means abandoning the most vulnerable households.
It is therefore in no way a logic of budget cuts or seeking savings, but a choice to prioritise available resources towards the most effective measures.
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Le Gouvernement décide de mettre fin à plusieurs programmes de lutte contre la précarité énergétique. Je suis stupéfaite. Je ne m’explique pas qu’au moment même où les Français sont confrontés à une crise énergétique majeure, où les factures pèsent lourd sur le budget des