Here’s a measure that would be a game changer once summer arrives! On Friday, May 1, 2026, the head of the Ecologists, Marine Tondelier, proposed the creation of a « climate leave » of five days per year. This leave would allow employees « who cannot work remotely to not go to work while still being compensated when public authorities recommend or impose restrictions related to a climate event », she clarified on her blog.
Protéger les travailleur·ses au XXIe siècle, c’est aussi les protéger face au climat.
— Marine Tondelier (@marinetondelier) May 1, 2026
C’est pourquoi je propose un congé climatique : 5 jours indemnisés pour faire face aux événements climatiques extrêmes, sans être pénalisé.
Je vous explique ⤵️https://t.co/2geL9QQ4tl
A measure that follows the lead of our Spanish neighbors
This initiative is inspired by one implemented in Spain: workers will benefit from four paid climate days starting in 2024, in the event of a natural disaster like a flood or fire. This measure was introduced in response to the severe floods that struck the southeast of the country and resulted in 230 fatalities.
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A leave applicable in case of major natural disasters
This leave could be used in cases of transportation being blocked due to flooding, or if a school is closed because of a weather alert, for example. « If your area is affected by an extreme heatwave or a fire, you should be able to cope without being penalized », stated the candidate declared for the 2027 presidential election on her blog.
Currently, there is no real legal framework regarding work conditions in extreme weather situations : companies can close, or employees can be absent with no salary guarantee. « ">There’s a bit of a vague decree that doesn’t even provide a temperature threshold to know when to stop », she emphasizes at the microphone of Sud Radio on May 1st.