Improving air quality in areas under PPA or affected by current or forecast 2030 exceedances

Agence de la transition écologique (ADEME)

About this grant

The ADEME aid supports structuring actions to improve outdoor air quality in territories covered by a Plan de protection de l'atmosphère (PPA) or facing current or projected 2030 exceedances of regulatory thresholds for NO2, particulates or ozone. Priority goes to reducing particulates, nitrogen oxides and/or ozone, with other pollutants such as NMVOCs and PAHs also eligible. Projects must fit within a structured action programme for the territory, such as multi-year planning, reproducibility, clearly defined objectives, and anticipation of the EU 2030 air quality directive. Expected air quality gains must be clearly defined relative to the local situation. Eligible costs can cover studies, communication, awareness campaigns, animation, and investments. Supported activity areas include: biomass combustion (awareness campaigns on domestic wood heating not tied to an Air-Bois fund; emission reduction for non-performing wood boilers under 1 MW lacking filtration, including audits, non-regulatory impact studies and corrective investments capped at 30 k EUR per boiler; alternatives to open-air burning of green waste, including possible funding of shredders in overseas territories); urban planning and development (integrating air quality into planning documents, construction projects and worksites); and business mobility and logistics (optimised logistics organisation, company travel optimisation, fleet studies, integrating air quality into CSR policies, and shore-power connections for river and maritime vessels). Aid is not automatic. It depends on the project's emission-reduction impact, efficiency indicators and budget availability. Applicants are advised to contact their regional ADEME directorate to confirm territorial eligibility and project fit.

Eligibility

Open to local authorities (collectivités), businesses and associations located in a zone covered by a PPA or in a territory with current or projected 2030 exceedances of regulatory NO2, particulate or O3 thresholds. The aid currently applies only in the regions Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Île-de-France, Martinique and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Applications are submitted through the ADEME Agir platform, which requires an account. The call is open for the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

How it's scored

Projects are assessed on their contribution to structured territorial air quality programmes, the clarity and magnitude of expected air quality gains against local conditions, the impact on pollutant emission reductions, and efficiency indicators for the action. Projects covering several boilers are preferred for biomass actions, particularly those led by public partners supporting municipalities. Final funding also depends on budget availability. No panel composition or numerical weightings are stated.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must sit within a structured multi-year action programme for a territory under a PPA or facing current or 2030 exceedances of NO2, particulates or ozone
• ✓Expected air-quality gains must be clearly defined relative to the local situation and demonstrate emission-reduction impact
• ✓Aid is discretionary and depends on emission-reduction impact, efficiency indicators and budget availability; confirm eligibility with the regional ADEME directorate

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Improving air quality in areas under PPA or affected by current or forecast 2030 exceedances?

Eligibility covers organisations in FR; local-authority, nonprofit, consultancy, engineering-contractor, sme, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Air quality funding covers monitoring networks, emission controls, clean transport zones and cleaner heating and cooking. Public authorities buy monitoring and abatement through tenders, while research and health programmes fund studies and pilots. Applicants are usually asked to set out baseline measurements and how improvements will be verified.