Central level

 The central government is responsible for:

• The overall legislation;
• Orientation of research service provision and information (Environment and Energy Agency) in the following fields:
• Prevention and fight against air pollution;
• Waste management;
• Energy saving and renewable energy development;
• Clean technology development;
• Fight against noise pollution;
• Coordination with water agencies for common interest matters;
• Work in coordination with regional delegations.

Regional and intermediate level

To deploy its public policies on the territory, France's Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition relies, in Metropolitan France and Overseas, on specific authorities in the regions and departments. Generally, regional authorities are responsible for:

• Providing their opinion on the definition of the national sustainable development policy (consultation);
• State/Regions project contracts focusing on sustainable development;
• Environmental protection;
• Regional air quality plan;
• The listing of regional protected landscapes and natural monuments;
• The definition of medium-term goals relating to sustainable development at the regional level;
• Regional natural parks;
• Regional land use planning;
• Sustainable development and equal territories;
• Biodiversity measures;
• Prevention and management of waste. 

Specifically, The Regional directorates for the environment, planning and housing (DREAL)  are responsible for:

• developing and implementing state policies on the environment, sustainable development, and management;
• ensuring that principles and objectives of sustainable development are integrated into the implementation of State-led actions;
• evaluate or have the environmental impact of these actions evaluated;
• assist the administrative authorities in their role of environmental authority in plans, programs and projects;
• Contribute to the definition of the strategy of the Ministry and public institutions in the regions and guide its implementation;
• promote citizen participation in the development of ministry projects that affect the environment or land use planning;
• contribute to the information, training and education of citizens in the issues of sustainable development;

The interregional directorates of the sea are likewise responsible for the conduct of state policies on sustainable development of the sea, resource management and regulation of maritime activities.

Finally, the inter-regional civil aviation safety directorates (DSAC) and the civil aviation services overseas are responsible for ensuring compliance with international standards and regulations regarding the environment

Intermediate level

Departmental authorities are generally responsible for:

• Providing their opinion on the definition of the national sustainable development policy (consultation);
• The listing of landscapes and natural monuments;
• Departmental plan for walking and hiking routes;
• Departmental plan of spaces, sites and routes related to nature sports
• Sensitive natural spaces;
• Non-hazardous waste prevention plan;
• Participation in the financing of drinking water and sanitation projects carried out by municipalities or their group.

The DREAL at the regional level has established the Departmental Directorates of the Territories and Sea (DDTM) to deploy and implement ministry policy at the department level.Finally, overseas departments likewise have established equivalent departmental authorities:

• The DEAL is the equivalent of the Departments of Environment, Planning and Housing adapted to the particular context of Overseas France;
• The Directorates of the Sea (DM) include all the missions of the departmental departments of the territories and the sea (DDTM);

The Department of Territories, Food and Sea (DTAM) of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is an inter-ministerial direction of the State placed under the authority of the Prefect and made available to the local authority as required by the organic law of 2007.

Local ​level

 Municipal authorities are responsible for:

• Water treatment;
• The supply of drinking water;
• The collection and processing of household waste;
• Thermal renovation of public buildings.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition 

Sources

Code de l'Environnement [Environment Code], Articles L222-1 to L222-3, L131-3., L333-1 to L333-3, Articles L222-1 à L222-3), L414-8, L414-11, R131-16 to R131-20, R341-16 to R341-25, and R565-5.

Territorial Reform, 2016, Government, France

Website of the Assembly of Departments of France, Les missions des départements

Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity: Decentralised Services of the Ministry