5 proposals for adapting points of sale to climate change

Thursday 19th December 2024 08:34 AM

Building on collaboration with the government on climate change adaptation strategies, Perifem, the technical federation of commerce and distribution, confirms its mobilization for sustainable commerce and shares 5 proposals, as part of the public consultation relating to the 3rd National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC-3).

The objective is to strengthen the adaptation of the 48,000 commercial spaces members of Perifem to climate change.

These proposals are structured around three of the five strategic axes of France’s national plan for adaptation to climate change:

1 Protection des populations,
2 Territorial resilience
3 Adaptation of human activities

To make commerce more sustainable, the federation has already quantified the cost of decarbonizing points of sale¹ and analyzed the various problems raised to enable a constructive dialogue. Its response to the public consultation on the 3rd PNACC concerns the measure integrating adaptation issues into business support measures.

Financial support is crucial to enable the sector to make the necessary investments while securing its activities in the short term.

1 – Make car parks real islands of freshness

On the axis dedicated to protection of the populationit is possible to contribute to the renaturation of cities by the installation of freshness islands in the 70 million m² of parking areas in stores and shopping centers.

Developments that would help reduce urban temperatures, mitigate the effects of heatwaves and strengthen the resilience of territories to heat waves.

The obligations to integrate rainwater management and shading systems in parking lots reflect a desire, reinforced in recent years, to use these spaces to meet the challenges of sustainable development. Indeed, parking lots constitute artificial spaces whose use lends itself to the installation of photovoltaic shades or the planting of trees, as well as to sustainable management of rainwater promoting soil permeability.

Implementing these solutions requires a revision of article 40 of the APER law² and its implementing decree. These texts which impose extensive coverage by photovoltaic shade structures prevent mixed developments (vegetation and energy production).

Perifem calls for harmonization of regulations to allow a real renaturation of spaces. The implementation of solutions, in addition to revegetation, integrate soil permeabilizationlikely to be slowed down by article 40.

Perifem wishes better consistency between the PNACC, public planning documents and regulations in force. Certain contradictions, notably between Local Urban Planning Plans (PLU) and article 40 of the APER law, generate difficulties for development projects which risk intensifying if they are not quickly corrected.

2 – Limit water consumption by generalizing remote reading

On the axis of territorial resilience, concerning the need to preserve water resources, the federation requests the generalization of water meters equipped with remote transmission devicesessential to enable real-time monitoring of consumption. This practice, already systematic for electricity and gas, should be extended to water.

Remote reading of water meters: on the road to the smart city

Set up a one-stop shop for water suppliers would facilitate access to consumption data for large multi-site brands and thus optimize their reduction efforts.

3 – Adapt technical standards

In the field of technical standards, it is necessary to revise the standards to take into account climatic changes, in particular for long-life equipment.. Commercial refrigeration systems, for example, will need to be adapted to operate optimally in the event of repeated heatwaves.. An update of technical standards by 2025, with clear criteria, is therefore essential to guide manufacturers and users in this transition.

4 – Create a toolbox to adapt points of sale

For the axis adaptation of human activities, Perifem will launch a study of climate risks faced by points of sale in 2025. This sectoral guide will present the issues and solutions for adapting points of sale to climate risks, taking into account local specificities and types of equipment.

A toolbox will allow each brand to implement solutions adapted to its needs.

5 – A unique administrative framework

Finally, the importance of effective reporting of adaptation actions should not mask the risk of a multiplication of frameworks and administrative obligations, complex and costly for companies.

To simplify these procedures, the federation proposes to group requirements into a single frameworkwhich would allow companies to focus more on implementing concrete actions and better promote their efforts to investors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, perifem reaffirms its commitment to adaptation to climate change and calls for harmonization of regulations, reinforced financial support and simplification of administrative procedures. These proposals aim to ensure the resilience of trade and distribution while supporting the ambitions of the PNACC-3.