Dijon Métropole is close to derogation
While 11 French conurbations have already set up their low-emission zone (ZFE)*, the problems of scopes of application and controls are already appearing. Especially since the radar gates have not yet been ordered by the State.
The mayor of Dijon and president of the metropolis, François Rebsamen, has not yet expressed himself later on the calendar which will be adopted in the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. And for good reason: the quality of its air is considered ” good “ based on Atmo BFC readings.
” This measure will certainly not be applied from January 1, 2025 », announces Jean-François Dodet, vice-president of Dijon Métropole in charge of air quality.
A calendar linked to studies and public consultation
For now, the metropolis has launched several studies to determine the number of vehicles that would be affected by the ZFE, primarily commercial vehicles.
” Little by little, craftsmen are starting to replace their fleet of vehicles “, he notes. A first diagnosis will be delivered in the spring.
” We will make a decision on the scenarios selected next September, after analyzing all these studies. “says Jean-François Dodet. However, it takes time:
” We will not have too many two years to make a final decision, because we will also have to count on the consultation of the population to avoid social impacts. “, he continues.
A hope of exemption at 20 µg/m³ instead of the 10 µg/m³ claimed by the WHO?
” The threshold of 10 µg/m³ [concentration de dioxyde d’azote en microgrammes par mètre cube recommandée par l’OMS en moyenne annuelle, Ndlr(**)] is practically impossible for any agglomeration of more than 150,000 inhabitants! », indignant Jean-François Dodet.
The latter wonders about the metropolises able to meet these criteria with very complex calculations… The decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition published in Official newspaper on December 24, specified that, contrary to what had been announced initially, certain agglomerations could be subject to derogation.
Thus, agglomerations with more than 150,000 inhabitants (the others are not concerned) could be exempted from EPZ if they are able to transmit “at least three years out of the last five years, by measurements carried out or by modeling in accordance with thearticle R. 221-3 of the environment codethat the average annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are less than or equal to 10 μg/m3: at all fixed air quality measurement stations in the conurbation; or for at least 95% of the population of each commune of the agglomeration”.
” Below 100 μg/m³, the air quality is considered “good”
During discussions with the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the elected official had pleaded for the derogation threshold to be set at 20 µg/m³. This would have allowed the metropolis to be in the nails. But he was not heard.
According to Atmo Bourgogne-Franche-Comté readings, the Péjoces measuring station (on the outskirts of Dijon) recorded average annual rates of 15 μg/m³ in 2019; 10 μg/m³ in 2021 and 12 μg/m³ in 2022. While the measuring station on boulevard de la Trémouille, in the heart of Dijon, measured an average of 17 μg/m³ over the year 2020, 18 μg/m³ in 2021 and 19μg/m³ in 2022.
” Below 100 μg/m³, the air quality is considered “good”says the chosen one. “ZFEs are not the only way to reduce CO2 emissions. »
And to add:
“The idea is to integrate the ZFE into our territorial energy climate plan,” confides Jean-François Dodet.
In fact, for the past twenty years, Dijon Métropole has been committed to thinking about the environment in a global way, with projects such as Response, the construction of hydrogen stations, or even an urban heating network. .
But despite all these commitments and its simulations, it seems difficult for Dijon Métropole to reach the threshold of 10 μg/m³ requested by the decree, by 2025.
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REMARK
As a reminder, the low emission zones (ZFE) are a State device intended to reduce air pollution in large cities, by gradually prohibiting the circulation of the most polluting diesel or petrol engine vehicles. For the moment, the three categories of vehicles concerned are the Crit’air 5 (diesel from before 2000), Crit’air 4 (diesel registered between January 2001 and December 2005) and Crit’air 3 (diesel from before before 2011 and petrol before 2006).
(**) On the threshold of 10 μg/m3: air pollution being the cause of more than 300,000 premature deaths each year in Europe and numerous disabling if not lethal pathologies (stroke, cancer, heart attack, asthma, stunting…), the scientific and medical community demands that the European Commission fully aligns its standards with those of the World Health Organization (WHO).