French court strikes down funding for billion-tree pledge

France's ambitious pledge to plant one billion trees by 2032 has hit a major legal roadblock, with the country's highest administrative court striking down the decree that funded the initiative. The Council of State ruled on July 15, 2026, that the government's subsidy framework was unlawful because ministers failed to allow public input before implementing the rules.

The court found that Decree No. 2025-401, issued on May 2, 2025, violated France's Environmental Charter. Subsidies, which covered 40% to 65% of forest renewal costs, were deemed to have a significant impact on commercial forestry, affecting biodiversity, soil health, and wildfire risks. The court emphasized that the public has a legal right to participate in consultations when such decrees could substantially affect the environment.

The environmental group Canopée brought the case, and while the court canceled the main funding decree, it rejected a separate request to nullify a related administrative order due to a late filing. Canopée's director, Sylvain Angerand, argued that the government must now redesign its forestry strategy rather than simply reinstating the system. The court's decision focused on procedural issues, not the broader environmental arguments.

This ruling emerges as French forests face increasing threats from climate change. A July 2026 review by France's High Council for Climate revealed that 21% of forest plantations failed in 2025, largely due to severe drought. The review also noted that 8% of standing trees showed significant damage. Scientists have also warned about the risks associated with monoculture plantations, which are more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and wildfires.

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the government cannot simply restore the same system and instead needs to redesign its forestry strategy.