Since the 1990s, environmental concerns have moved forward not only in households but also in businesses and public authorities, with the introduction of increasingly comprehensive regulations in this field, at both European and national levels. The implementation of these regulations has contributed extensively to bringing about changes in practices. In particular, these changes have resulted in growth in expenditure on environmental protection and the preservation of natural resources. In 2013 in France, households, businesses and public authorities mobilised 67.2 billion euros for this expenditure on the environment. Between 2000 and 2013, this spending increased more quickly than GDP. Three-quarters of this amount was for water and waste management. As well as these two items of expenditure, environmental protection also concerned air, climate, soils, fauna and flora and covered measures against a very wide range of pollutions such as noise or radioactive radiation. The actions associated with these different types of spending contributed to improving the state of the environment. For example, more than 9 out of 10 wastewater treatment plants were in compliance with the regulatory standards in force in 2013. Also, investment by industrial companies after regulations were strengthened helped reduce atmospheric emissions of pollutants, especially sulphur dioxide. Lastly, the increase in the number of waste processing facilities and selective waste collection channels improved waste recycling.