Greater investment in protecting the environment in 2018

In 2018, industrial establishments employing at least 20 workers pledged €1.5 billion to fund investments or studies aimed at protecting the environment, an 11% increase on 2017 following a steady decline since 2012. 69% of the expenditure came from four sectors: energy, chemicals, agri-food industries and metallurgy/metal products. 46% of the sums invested were aimed at combating air pollution or climate change.