"Opposing ecology and economy is totally out of date," says Élisabeth Borne

" I say it very clearly, I will not give anything to those who would like to go back on environmental standards and I refused any moratorium, " declared this Tuesday on Franceinfo the Minister for the Ecological Transition. "O pose ecology and economy is completely outdated, " said Elisabeth Borne, ensuring that " ecological transition is the best strategy to create jobs out of the crisis ."

Read also: Medef calls for a moratorium on environmental laws

The minister's words are a direct response to the employers. To deal with the crisis linked to the coronavirus epidemic, Medef asked him in early April in a letter for a " moratorium of the order of six months " on the implementation of a series of environmental measures. The employers' organization aimed to apply the new law on the fight against waste and recycling but also the National Low Carbon Strategy, or even the planned establishment of low emission zones (ZFE) to limit pollution from air through road traffic.

No financial support from the State to companies without ecological compensation

In the same vein as her colleagues from Bercy, the minister assured that there would be "no financial aid from the State to our strategic companies without ecological consideration ", citing the example of the airline company Air France , which has undertaken to reduce its CO2 emissions on the domestic market by 50% in return for state aid.

Read also: Automobile: Bruno Le Maire wants relocations in exchange for state aid

Élisabeth Borne also explained working on new measures " which combine economy and ecology ", mentioning in particular the possible creation of " hundreds of thousands of jobs in the thermal renovation of buildings ", as well as a " large plan of installation of charging stations for electric vehicles ”.

In terms of mobility, the minister assured that the government would " maintain the CO2 emission standards for cars ". " We are no longer in 2008 and today we must on the contrary support the hundreds of thousands of companies that are engaged in the ecological transition ". The Minister also hopes that telework " can become a common and massive practice to reduce travel ".

In a few months, we gain several years of cycling culture in France

Some details on the bike plan were also provided by the Minister, while this means of transport is essential in the cities of France unconfined. With an envelope of 20 million euros intended to facilitate the practice of cycling, the Ministry of the Ecological Transition wants to avoid a massive transfer of public transport to the car. “ 3000 repairers are mobilized throughout the territory to help users. Your repairer will deduct your 50-euro bill directly from you , ”she explained.

Nearly 1000km of temporary cycle paths have been put into use in the country in recent weeks. The Ministry of Ecological Transition created a guide for the occasion to support communities. " In a few months, we gain several years of cycling culture in France, " insisted the minister. The plan includes training for users who want to get back in the saddle.

Read also: Telework, progress to be welcomed or dangerous regression?

Finally, Élisabeth Borne reminded that the State also supports citizens in the purchase of an electrically assisted bicycle, as soon as the communities are mobilized. " You can request 500 euros in aid from the region as well as 200 euros more from the state, " she said. The long-term objective is that 10% of French journeys are made by bicycle.