National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information
“In 2022, ecological planning was entrusted to France’s Prime Minister with the aim of accelerating collective efforts to, in particular: cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, reduce pressure on biodiversity, and better manage essential resources. The ‘France Nation Verte’ (France Green Nation) action plan was drawn up to develop concrete actions with all stakeholders on the following themes: moving better, housing better, preserving and enhancing ecosystems better, producing better, eating better, and consuming better. These six major challenges are shared out into 22 workstreams, in which IGN played an active role throughout 2023, especially the ‘digital and data” axis.”
Sébastien Soriano
Director General, National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information, France
National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN), France is playing an active role in France Nation Verte’ (France Green Nation) and in particular the ‘digital and data’ axis.
This cross-functional workstream aims to identify the key issues to be resolved and to define precise and concrete actions on data, platforms and digital services, to be prioritised and supported to make a success of the ecological transition, by clarifying who is responsible for what, and how the various players fit together.
Indeed, a major issue is the scattering of data and tools in silos amongst numerous stakeholders, and the guiding line of the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information’s (IGN) offer is to help streamlining and mutualising them. Thereby, IGN took part in most of the working groups set up within this ‘digital and data’ axis, and co-piloted those on renewable energy potential (in connection with the Renewable Energy Mapping Portal project), on the ‘preservation of resources other than biodiversity’ and the coastline.
Benefits
The Observatory of French Forests
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Broadens the range of statistical and geospatial information to meet the challenges of public policy at every level from national to local.
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Extends and improves forest mapping services, reveals new information from existing data from IGN and its partners.
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Ensures that all decision-makers, both public and private, have access to
the information and are able to find technical expertise.The Renewable Energy Mapping Portal
IGN is creating a portal to identify information related to onshore renewable energies and the evaluation of their implementation potential. A recent law on energy – very much linked to the EU Directive on Renewable Energy – gives the responsibility to local authorities to define their own Renewable Energy development areas.
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Displays information on the technical potential of renewable energies, but also on the regulatory framework and on environmental stakes that should be taken into account while developing Renewable Energy projects.
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Delivers a tool that the French Government wants to make available to local authorities for them to define the Renewable Energy development areas.
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Marks an important step for the deployment of renewable energies in the country, giving the best chances to respect France Nation Verte objectives.