PARIS (Reuters) – France plans to ban heaters used by outdoor terrace restaurants and cafes from early next year as it accelerates the move to a low-carbon economy, the government said.
FILE PHOTO: Customers eat lunch on a restaurant terrace on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris as restaurants and cafes reopen after the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in France, June 2, 2020 REUTERS / Benoit Tessier
Because the ban could affect a sector affected by the coronavirus crisis, it won’t take effect until after the end of next winter to give businesses time to adapt.
“What is at stake is ending ecologically aberrant practices that lead to totally unjustified energy consumption,” Environment Minister Barbara Pompili said on French television.
On January 1, Rennes became the first French city to ban heated terraces. Environmental NGOs estimate that France has at least 12,500 heated terraces.
“This is a brave decision,” said Thierry Salomon of the energy conservation group NegaWatt, adding that in northern European countries with much colder climates, restaurants generally provide tables to terrace patrons.
He said that when some restaurants introduced terrace heating, others were forced to continue to avoid losing customers.
Negawatt estimates that a 75 m2 terrace, heated with gas from November to March, emits as much CO2 as a car that circles the Earth three times.
Restaurants say the ban will increase their concerns.
“The moment is very bad, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, 80% of our turnover comes from terraces now,” said restaurant owner Aurore Begue.
A Parisian who enjoyed a sunny terrace was less concerned.
“When the heaters arrived, it was progress, but really, we don’t need them. We can put on a coat or a sweater, ”said Marie-Laure Bonnot, 77.
Some restaurant owners were also philosophical.
“This is a measure that could be expected and, given the climate situation, it is difficult to oppose it,” said Stephane Malchow of the Mollard brewery.
Romain Vidal, of the Paris hotel and restaurant business group, said the industry would find better ways to heat terraces, using efficient heaters, certified renewable energy and wind shields to reduce heat loss.
“France created the terrace culture. We need to continue that culture without harming the planet, “he said.
Report by Geert De Clercq; Additional reports by Dominique Vidalon, Emilie Delwarde and Clotaire Achi; editing by Barbara Lewis and Pritha Sarkar
.
