Objectives:
1) to promote respect for the environment by protecting the natural heritage and by reducing negative impacts; 2) to promote the sustainable use of space

Activities :
Buildings: since 2005 HQE standard (high environmental quality) that is binding for all constructions in the ZAC (coordinated construction zone) and for municipality's buildings (townhall, 2 schools); incitation of investors to build in HQE standard or even superior, excursion to Vorarlberg, label Citenergie (french correspondent for European Energy Award); creation of an experimental operation in the Western district since 01/01/07 which offers free energy diagnostic, technical and administrative support and financial help starting from 30% of the total work costs. Nature conservation : preservation of rare species and creation of green corridors throughout the town, cultivation of green areas nearly without chemical products, sustainable cultivation techniques. Transport: help for companies to establish transportation management plan, multimodal train station,electrical vehicles and LPG (liquified petronleum gas) equipped cars provided by city;

Results:
building industry/housing: in 2007, 70% of all built apartments were of high environmental quality; 1600 apartments have potentially the right to receive help for green energy installations; the experimental operation for the Western district should result in energy savings of about 6 Mio. Kwh/an and reduce 1500 tonnes of CO2 emissions; the energy consumption in the period of 2003-2006 was lowered by 19% in public buildings and by 14% in public lighting; nature conservation : since 2004 green areas have been extended of 1,7ha so that every resident disposes of 46 m² (the national average is 20 m² per resident) transport : increase of no of companies and other organisations engaged in an company mobility plan (2003:10; 2004: 17; 2005: 19; 2006: 20); 160 municipal employees are subscribed to the public transportation service and 82 bikes have been allocated within the city's company mobility plan; 22,26km of cycle trails have been built with the objective to provide 32km in 20

Executive body supporting the measure, short description :
City of Echirolles, responsible services for Energy (M. Athiel) and Agenda 21 (Emilie Rousset, e.rousset@ville-echirolles.fr).