4. Reinforcement of penal protection, with restorative aims

In 2021, 31,400 environmental offences were recorded by the police and national gendarmerie, up 7% on 2016. In the water sector, this increase can be attributed to the strengthening of environmental regulations and standards, the expansion of the repressive and dissuasive arsenal, and the improved apprehension of these offences by the judicial authorities.

In recent years, the criminal law protection of aquatic environments has undergone far-reaching changes, with the aim of making regulations more effective and increasing the responsibility of those involved.

The circular of April 21, 2015 on criminal policy guidelines for environmental offenses sets out the policy guidelines and its interpretation in the face of environmental challenges, setting out and illustrating the main principles and new tools (systematic pursuit of environmental...