Home › Explained sheets › Rights and duties
Adopting a respectful attitude towards the environment
This sheet shows the importance of eco-responsible and civic behaviour. It presents concrete everyday actions that everyone can do.
Key points of the sheet
- All people who live in France have the duty to protect the environment. It is for themselves and for others.
- Article 1 of the 2004 Environment Charter says: everyone has the right to live in a balanced environment that respects health.
- Article 2 of the Charter says: every person has the duty to take part in preserving and improving the environment.
- This duty respects republican values. Liberty: choosing to consume and travel responsibly. Equality: a healthy environment for everyone. Fraternity: for future generations and the common good.
- Examples of actions: sorting your waste and reducing your plastic waste. You should also avoid wasting food and energy.
- You should also favour public transport and cycling, and respect shared spaces without throwing waste there. You can take part in local actions, for example a group clean-up.
- Recycling first means throwing away your waste properly.
Words to know
- Environment Charter (Charte de l’environnement)
- It is a text from 2004. It gives everyone the right to a healthy environment and the duty to take part in preserving it.
- waste (wasting) (gaspillage)
- The sheet asks you to avoid wasting food and energy.
- group clean-up (nettoyage collectif)
- It is an example of a local action for the environment.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which 2004 text gives the right to live in a balanced environment?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel texte de 2004 donne le droit de vivre dans un environnement équilibré ?
Article 1 of the 2004 Environment Charter gives this right to everyone.
Which means of transport does the sheet advise you to favour?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel moyen de transport la fiche conseille-t-elle de privilégier ?
The sheet advises favouring public transport and cycling.
Who has the duty to protect the environment in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui a le devoir de protéger l'environnement en France ?
All people who live in France have the duty to protect the environment.
You have read the sheet. See where you stand with 40 questions like the real exam.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)Free mock exam · Exam Pass €19 incl. VAT, paid once, no subscription
Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- How can people reduce their waste?
- Should people reduce their waste?
- What does the rule say about dropping a cigarette butt (mégot) on the ground?
- Which of these actions respects the environment?
- Why must people sort their waste?
- About waste, which statement is correct?
More in this topic (Obligations and duties of people living in France)
Source
Sheet “Adopter une attitude respectueuse vis-à-vis de l’environnement” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.