France’s billion-tree programme loses funding after court ruling

In July 2026, France's highest administrative court ruled that a decree funding the country's ambitious billion-tree planting programme was unlawful. The Council of State found that the government's subsidy framework violated France's Environmental Charter by not providing the public with a chance to comment on the rules before they were implemented.

The decree had allocated funding ranging from 40 to 65 percent of forest renewal costs, which significantly impacted commercial forestry and affected biodiversity, soil health, and wildfire risks.

The ruling was brought by the environmental group Canopée, who argued that the decision lacked public consultation and thus had no legal basis. The case has renewed debates about the effectiveness and ethics of large-scale tree planting projects, especially in the context of climate change. French forests have been facing increasing pressure from rising temperatures and drought, with recent reviews revealing that a quarter of forest plantations failed due to severe drought in 2025.

Scientists warn that monoculture plantations, where only one tree species dominates, are at higher risk from pests, diseases, and wildfires.

The government now faces the challenge of creating a new funding system that complies with legal requirements and promotes environmental goals. Future funding is expected to focus on restoring degraded or burned forests rather than supporting clear-cutting in healthy woodlands. Environmentalists urge a shift towards continuous-cover forestry, which protects soil and long-term carbon storage, instead of temporary plantations that may harm the environment.

As the EU's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy requires member states to avoid clear-cutting in biodiverse areas, France will need to adapt its forestry policies to meet international standards.