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Heated terraces became ubiquitous in France in the 1990s, when smoking bans went into effect
The French government has announced new environmental measures, including a ban on heated terraces for cafes and bars.
Ecology Minister Barbara Pompili said outside heating or air conditioning was an “ecological aberration.”
The ban won’t take effect until after winter, as restaurants have been hit hard by Covid-19, he added.
All buildings with heating or air conditioning open to the public should also keep their doors closed to avoid wasting energy.
Ms Pompili told reporters that it was wrong for stores to “condition the streets” in the summer by keeping their doors open only to avoid customers having to open them.
“Decks should also not be heated in winter so that people can feel warm while drinking coffee,” he said.
- Summers could become ‘too hot for humans’
- ‘Increasing possibility’ of exceeding the 1.5C target
Business groups say more than 75% of restaurants and cafes in the Paris area have a heated terrace.
Some French cities have already banned them, but Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo refused to do so, saying it would be a severe blow to companies.
Citizens Convention
Ms. Pompili said officials would speak to homeowners about ways to implement measures after winter.
It was named by new Prime Minister Jean Castex, who has pledged € 20 million ($ 23 million) for climate-related investments, as part of a € 100 million stimulus plan aimed at helping the economy recover. of the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures announced by Ms. Pompili were proposed by the 150-member Citizen Climate Convention, established by President Emmanuel Macron last year and randomly selected from members of the public.
They also include the creation of two natural parks and a national nature reserve.
Building owners will be encouraged to improve insulation and banned from installing new coal or oil furnaces, while limits will be imposed on developments in rural areas.
