The text, approved by a final vote in the Senate, aims in particular to support the recycling and reuse of digital devices, such as smartphones and computers.
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A final green light from the Senate. On Tuesday, November 2, Parliament definitively adopted a bill aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of digital technology. This text, carried by Senator Les Républicains Patrick Chaize, includes many measures aimed in particular at supporting the recycling and reuse of digital devices (smartphones, computers, tablets, etc.).
The text modified by the deputies does not fully satisfy the senators, even if the latter adopted it so as not to delay the entry into force of the “advanced” that he introduces into a domain that is still “a blind spot” environmental policy. The main point of disagreement relates to the private copying levy. Created in 1985, this contribution is levied on recording media (blank CDs and DVDs, memories and hard drives for computers, phones or tablets) to compensate for the loss suffered by artists due to the possibility of copying their music. œworks.
To promote re-employment, the senators wanted to exempt second-hand equipment from the contribution. Faced with the outcry in the cultural world, this exemption was dismissed. The text finally provides that second-hand equipment will be subject to the “remuneration for private copying”, at a rate “specific and differentiated” compared to new devices, taking into account in particular their age.
The text also proposes the creation of an “observatory of the environmental impacts of digital technology” in order to establish more precise data on this issue. It also provides awareness training on the environmental consequences of digital technology and “digital sobriety” in primary and secondary schools. The text also promotes data centers and networks that consume less electricity and strengthens the fight against planned obsolescence by extending it to software.
According to the work of a senatorial information mission, if nothing is done, digital technology will by 2040 be the source of 24 million tonnes of carbon equivalent, or about 7% of greenhouse gas emissions. greenhouse in France, compared to 2% today.