Ecological transition of the audiovisual and digital industries

    Translations are provided as a service to Arcom users and are supplied “as is”, throught the DeepL tool. Consequently, only the text of the original version is authentic. Please note that not all the files have been translated.

    Find out more about translation

    Protecting the environment and fighting global warming are top priorities for today's society. Preserving natural resources, limiting global warming and protecting biodiversity are essential conditions for enabling present and future generations to meet their needs sustainably.

    In France, the 2004 Charter of the Environment recognizes everyone's "right to live in a balanced environment respectful of health" and also affirms that "public policies must promote sustainable development".

    Since 2021, with the entry into force of the law aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of digital, known as the"REEN Law" and then the"Climate and Resilience Law", Arcom has been entrusted with several missions to support the ecological transition of the audiovisual and digital industries.

    Arcom's missions

    Arcom's missions are twofold:

    Contents

    A section on the content shown on audiovisual services, with the introduction of climate agreements covering both the products promoted in advertisements and the audiovisual media's editorial efforts in terms of ecological transition.

    Uses

    A section on the environmental impact of audiovisual services, by :

    1. measuring this impact
    2. reducing this impact through eco-design of digital services (RGESN)
    3. informing consumers of this impact through the services themselves.

    • Documentation

    by carrying out studies to share common, reliable data on the sector's environmental impact with the ecosystem.

    • Support

    supporting the ecosystem in reducing its environmental impact, by providing notices and tools (notably based on studies carried out by Arcom).

    • Awareness raising

    Raising awareness among the general public, through audiovisual services.

    • Monitoring

    monitoring the effectiveness of actions implemented.

    Learn more about Arcom's ecological transition action

    1. Content shown on audiovisuel services

    Environmental protection on TV and radio programmes

    Awareness raising and regulation

    Arcom's aim is to raise public awareness of the challenges of protecting the environment and fighting climate change, and toensure the honest presentation of controversialinformation or issues relating to environmental matters.

    Arcom's mission is to raise public awareness of the challenges of protecting the environment and fighting climate change.

    As part of their commitments under a climate agreement, the audiovisual media - TV and radio - have voluntarily undertaken to provide Arcom with information on their editorial content dealing with environmental issues.

    The media declare to Arcom programs that deal primarily with the environment, its protection and the fight against climate change, specifying the main theme addressed (agriculture, climate change, biodiversity, etc.).

    • Legal basis

    Voluntary commitment by audiovisual media via a climate agreement, integrated into the latest agreements signed between editors andArcom.

    Climate disinformation is the intentional or unintentional diffusion of false information about climate change or climate action.

    It can take several forms:

    • Outright denial of global warming;
    • Conspiracy theories;
    • Confusing or misleading messages.

    It can undermine confidence in science, reduce public support for climate action, weaken criminal proceedings and more generally harm democratic debate.

    Arcom's mission and action

    Arcom acts within the framework of the law:

    Arcom's objective : to ensure the honest presentation of controversial information or issues relating to the environment.

    Environmental protection in advertising

    Documenting and supporting

    The introduction of climate agreements aims to promote commitments and actions in favor of more sustainable practices in commercial communications, at the level of companies and representative organizations.

    Arcom's objective is to monitor and evaluate this commitment to reducing television and radio advertising for products with a negative impact on the environment, and to preventing greenwashing.

    The "Climate and Resilience Law" introduced"climate agreements" for companies spending at least 100,000 euros (excl. VAT) on advertising potentially polluting products or services.

    These companies declare themselves on a government platform when they are concerned by this obligation, but can also voluntarily subscribe to the scheme to show their commitment.

    This is a voluntary scheme to encourage more responsible advertising.

    The contract is not legally restrictive, and takes the form of a voluntary "code of good conduct". Nevertheless, the non-subscription of companies subject to the law is made public.

    These "codes of good conduct" aim to :

    • Significantly reduce commercial communications relating to goods and services with a negative impact on the environment, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, damage to biodiversity and consumption of natural resources over their entire life cycle, audiovisual communication services and services offered by online platform operators;
    • Prevent commercial communications favorably presenting the environmental impact of these same goods or services ( greenwashing);

    Arcom evaluates the effectiveness of climate agreements through an annual report to Parliament. Arcom reports are available below.

    2. Environmental impact of audiovisual use

    What is the impact of your audiovisual uses?

    Measuring and documenting

    To strengthen consumer information on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions linked to the consumption of audiovisual media, the law entrusts Arcep and Arcom with the publication of a report measuring the environmental impact of different broadcasting methods for audiovisual media services.

    In 2024, Arcom and Arcep, in collaboration with ADEME, jointly launched an assessment of the environmental impact of different audiovisuel broadcasting methods.

    Read the study: environmental impact of audiovisual uses in France

    How do you design low-impact websites, applications or digital services?

    Measure and support

    In order to reduce the environmental impact of digital services, the Référentiel général de l'écoconception des services numériques explains how to design websites, applications and digital services in such a way as to reduce their environmental impact (less energy, less useless data, equipment that lasts longer).

    This guide offers concrete best practices for designers and developers to create more sober and efficient digital services, from design to hosting.

    The general reference framework for the eco-design of digital services was drawn up by Arcom andArcep, in conjunction withADEME. The French Interministerial Digital Affairs Directorate (DINUM), the French national data protectionagency (CNIL) and the French national institute for research in digital science and technology(INRIA) also contributed to the guidelines.

    General guidelines for the eco-design of digital services

    Encourage TV channels, platforms and smads to inform consumers

    Informing and raising awareness

    Encouraging TV channels, platforms and audiovisual services to better inform users about the environmental impact of their digital uses means providing simple explanations of what they do to reduce their impact, but above all giving users concrete keys to take action: switching off their devices, favoring Wi-Fi over 4G/5G, etc., or using more sober options. This information must be easy to find and regularly updated.

    Arcom's aim is to encourage TV services, SMADs and video-sharing platforms to better inform their consumers about the environmental impact of using their services, to help everyone consume video more responsibly, without being a digital expert.

    • September 2023

    Arcom notice on article 26 of the law to reduce the environmental footprint of digital technology (REEN law)

    • January 2025

    Questionnaire - assessment of the implementation of the notice article 26 of the REEN law

    • December 2025

    Assessment of the application of the notice resulting from article 26 of the law aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of digital technology.

    Media education: Arcom / ARTE Education resource sheet

    Committed to media and information literacy and digital citizenship, Arcom is offering a new resource on the ecological transition in audiovisual and digital media. Designed in partnership with ARTE Education, it explains Arcom's role in this area through a presentation of its missions, an analysis of its interventions and videos from the ARTE catalog.

    Whether you're a teacher, parent, student or professional, explore this resource to gain a better understanding of Arcom's work on these challenges.

    Find out more about the partnership between ARTE Education and Arcom.

    Discover the "Ecological transition in audiovisual and digital media" fact sheet.

    Understanding in videos

    "Global warming doesn't exist"

    "The Internet doesn't pollute"

    Practical advice

    Source: Arcom's notice on Article 26 of the law to reduce the environmental footprint of digital content (REEN law)

    For individuals:

    Extend the lifespan of terminals Encourage the purchase of second-hand or reconditioned products; favor the purchase of terminals with a high reparability and durability index (index displayed when purchasing a smartphone or computer, for example); encourage maintenance and repair rather than replacement.
    Favoring a sober connection For on-demand content (streaming video or audio, on platforms, etc.), use a fixed network connection (Wifi) rather than a mobile network (4G/5G).
    Adapting content quality Adapt content quality to the broadcast medium, in particular choosing HD quality rather than UHD/4K when the latter is not necessary, especially on small screens (smartphones, computers, etc.).
    Choose audio content without video When listening to audio content, give preference to content without video (podcast versions rather than video, listening to music in audio only without video, etc.).
    Adopt reasonable screen consumption Adopt reasonable screen consumption, which is good for both the environment and digital well-being (e.g., disable automatic video playback, limit screen time, etc.).
    Switch off unused devices Switching off box, TV or console when not in use avoids continuous energy consumption.
    Activate energy-saving modes Some devices and applications offer settings to limit their consumption.

    For professionals :

    Eco-designing audiovisual services Design and develop more sustainable equipment and services, requiring fewer resources.
    Transparently assess the footprint of your product or service. Monitor the development of this footprint, and determine and update the actions to be prioritized to reduce it.

    On the same subject

    General reference framework for the eco-design of digital services

    Image d'illustration pour les études.
    17 May 2024
    The general reference framework for the eco-design of digital services aims to define the criteria for the sustainable design of digital services in order to reduce their environmental footprint.
    • Digital
    • Internet
    • Platform
    Access

    Study of the environmental impact of audiovisual use in France

    Image d'illustration pour les études.
    07 October 2024
    Arcom and Arcep, in collaboration with ADEME, have jointly launched an assessment of the environmental impact of different audiovisuel broadcasting methods.
    • Environment
    • Ecology
    • Uses
    • Television
    • Radio
    • Internet
    • Platform
    Access

    Our missions

    Image d'illustration de la page de nos missions.
    12 June 2026

    Arcom is the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication. This regulation is carried out in the service of freedom of expression, in the public interest and in consultation with professionals.

    Access

    Studies and data

    Image d'illustration pour les études.
    12 June 2026

    Arcom carries out studies and analyses that shed light on the functioning of the audiovisual and digital industries and contribute to decision-making. Its research focuses in particular on developments in the use, programming and distribution of audiovisual and digital services and content, as well as on media audiences.

    It gathers and analyzes economic information on the audiovisual and digital industries, and conducts economic impact studies.

    The French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication (Arcom) investigates and issues opinions to theCompetition Authority and the French regulatory authority for electronic communications, post and press distribution(Arcep) when they request its observations.

    Last but not least, the Autorité is charged with the general task of observing the legal and unlawful use of protected content, whether cultural works or sports-related contdnt. Arcom identifies the technical means by which unlawful uses are made, and proposes solutions to remedy the situation.

    In this section, you'll find all the information on the studies and data produced by the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication (Arcom) in the course of its activities.

    Access