Territorial Climate Air Energy Plans (PCAETs)

The Climate Plan defines actions aimed at taking into account the challenges of the ecological and solidarity-based transition in all public policies. The Metropole of Montpellier adopted its new Plan in February 2023, for a period of 6 years.

Temps de lecture : 4 minutes

What are PCAETs?

It has 2 components:

"Mitigation": reducing the territory's greenhouse gas emissions;
"Adaptation": preparing the territory for the consequences of climate change, such as heat waves, fires or floods.

It also integrates social issues, in particular fuel or food insecurity.

Targets for 2026, 2030 and 2050

Targets are set for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, energy consumption and production.

In addition, the Plan addresses sustainable land use planning, sustainable economic development, waste management, preservation of natural resources and biodiversity...

By 2050:

-85% greenhouse gas emissions
-52% energy consumption
+44% local renewable energy production

The major objective: carbon neutrality by 2050

Carbon neutrality corresponds to the balance between greenhouse gas emissions and their absorption.

To achieve this, it is necessary to reduce emissions very significantly and to compensate or absorb, thanks to vegetation for example, the so-called residual or incompressible emissions.

To achieve carbon neutrality and meet the challenges identified for our territory, the Climate Plan comprises 10 strategic orientations, broken down into 28 actions.

3 concern the Metropole's ecoresponsibility (operations, asset management and public lighting thanks to the Lighting Plan).

10 strategic orientations

Renovate 4,500 homes a year by 2030, to reduce heating consumption and lower energy bills.

Develop alternative transport solutions to the car "alone": public transport, cycling, walking, carpooling, carsharing.

Reduce energy consumption, particularly for heating and travel, and develop local production of renewable energies, particularly solar and biomass.

Reduce emissions linked to the artificialization of land and urbanization.

Anticipate and prepare for the consequences of global warming: heatwaves, fires, floods, health impacts, continuity of operation of infrastructures and public services...

Building on "Nature-based Solutions": greening public spaces, preserving the ecosystem services provided by natural areas...

Preserving water, a vital and rare resource, from both a quantitative and qualitative standpoint.

Reduce waste at source and promote the circular economy. Waste management (collection, recycling, recovery) is costly and has strong environmental impacts.

Supporting local production and access to healthy food for all through an agricultural and food policy.

Incite economic players to carry out actions that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Climate Plan.

Status of the Climate Plan

An initial assessment of the implementation of the 2021-2026 Climate Plan is underway. The results should be known during 2025.

A label recognizing this ambition

In 2019, the Metropole and City of Montpellier were awarded the Cit'ergie label at 3-star level (out of 5). Carried in France by the'Ademe (Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie), this European distinction rewards ambitious policies to combat climate change.

Now known as the Label Climat Air Energie, this distinction was renewed in 2024. As a sign of improved public policies, the level was raised to 4 stars. The goal is now to reach 5 stars!

Green budget

The Metropole and the City of Montpellier have initiated a "green budget" approach in 2023. It aims to analyze the impact of budget lines on the climate. This then enables us to reflect on public policy orientations aimed at gradually reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Annual Sustainability Report

Every year, a report on the sustainable development situation is drawn up for the Metropole and the City of Montpellier. It measures the progress of actions linked to the implementation of the Climate Plan.

This tool is useful for defining future budgetary orientations.