Since the enactment of the Climate and Resilience Act on August 22, 2021, the Net Zero Land Take (NZLT) target has been enshrined in French law. The goal is to halve the rate of land conversion by 2031 and achieve NZLT by 2050.
For local governments, this goal is outlined in urban planning documents (SRADDET, SCoT, PLUi), with specific targets that must be met. The pressure is real: municipalities that fail to meet their targets face increasing restrictions on the issuance of new building permits.
In this context, the removal of impervious surfaces from school playgrounds is an underrated but powerful tool.
According to the decree of April 29, 2022, and the OCSGE (Large-Scale Land Use) classification system, an area is considered to be artificialized when it is "sealed, stabilized, or covered." An asphalt schoolyard fully falls into this category.
On the other hand, an unpaved, vegetated area may be reclassified as "unimproved" provided it meets the vegetation criteria defined by the classification system (vegetation cover exceeding 50% of the area, permeable soil, etc.).
Every square meter of schoolyard that is converted from impervious surfaces is counted as a net gain toward the municipality’s ZAN target. For a city with 20 schoolyards, each measuring 1,000 m², a comprehensive greening program covering 60% of the area could result in 12,000 m² of net de-imperviousing, or 1.2 hectares.
This is a significant contribution, especially for densely populated municipalities that have little available land to offset their development projects.
Inter-municipal bodies with more than 20,000 residents are required to adopt a Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plan (PCAET) that includes a section on climate change adaptation. Reducing urban heat islands and increasing tree cover are typical measures that can be implemented under this framework.
An oasis courtyard checks all the PCAET boxes:
PCAETs must be the subject of an annual progress report submitted to the deliberative assembly. Data from detailed environmental analyses (pre- and post-project conditions of courtyards, temperature trends, and green space coverage) provide strong evidence of progress.
With a budget of 2.5 billion euros for 2023–2024, the Green Fund primarily finances the "Renaturation of Cities and Villages" initiative. Oasis courtyard projects are eligible provided they include a measurable component involving the removal of impervious surfaces and the introduction of vegetation.
The subsidy rate can be as high as 80% for the least advantaged municipalities.
Many regions have launched their own programs:
For rural municipalities, the DETR may also fund school greening projects if they are part of a municipal climate adaptation strategy.
To qualify for ZAN and PCAET funding, local governments must demonstrate the impact of their project. This requires them to have:
This data can be generated through the analysis of satellite and aerial imagery, without the need for systematic fieldwork.
The Oasis Courtyard is not just a school landscaping project. It is a strategic component of the community’s ZAN initiative: every square meter of green space is a square meter gained toward the goal of reducing impervious surfaces, and every degree of improvement is another point in the PCAET report.
For local governments seeking quick regulatory wins and projects with a high visible impact, this is one of the most effective solutions available today.
Find out how Netcarbon can help you quantify the ZAN impact of your Oasis courses and prepare your grant applications. Request a demo.
