retombées

Retombées is a French noun (feminine plural) derived from the verb retomber. It designates the consequences, effects, or by-products that follow a primary action or event, as well as material that falls back to the ground after being displaced. The term is used in both figurative senses (repercussions or spillovers) and literal senses (deposits that settle from the air, water or other media).

In economic and policy discourse, retombées typically refer to indirect benefits or costs resulting from a project, event, or policy. Examples include economic retombées such as job creation, tax revenue, or regional development, as well as negative repercussions when impacts are adverse. The assessment of retombées often involves cost-benefit analysis and multiplier effects to estimate indirect influences on communities or markets.

In environmental and health contexts, retombées can denote radioactive or chemical fallout that settles on land or water, affecting ecosystems and public health. Retombées radiologiques, for instance, depend on emission strength, meteorological conditions, and proximity to the source, and are monitored by relevant authorities to guide safety measures.

In media and cultural discourse, retombées describe attention, coverage or reputational effects stemming from an event or action. Such retombées can influence public opinion, stakeholder perceptions, or subsequent policy debates.

Notes: the term is closely related to retomber and to more general concepts such as répercussions and externalités.