France is home to a vast expanse of forests, covering approximately 17 million hectares, constituting about 31% of the country’s total land area. These forests are crucial in combating climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. On average, France’s forests sequester an estimated 87 million tons of CO2 each year, which accounts for about 19% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
France’s forests primarily comprise broadleaf species such as oak, beech, and chestnut, as well as coniferous species like Scots pine, silver fir, and spruce. The diverse composition of these trees enables them to sequester carbon at varying rates, with coniferous forests typically storing more carbon per hectare than broadleaf forests due to their faster growth rates.
Over the past decade, France has faced significant challenges preserving its forest cover. Approximately 120,000 hectares of forest have been lost due to logging and development activities, threatening biodiversity and reducing carbon sequestration capacity. Additionally, wildfires have ravaged nearly 200,000 hectares of forests, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean, where climate change has intensified drought conditions and heightened fire risks.
France’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement recognize the critical role of forests in mitigating climate change. The country has committed to enhancing forest carbon sinks by protecting existing forests, promoting sustainable forestry practices, and expanding forest cover through reforestation and afforestation initiatives. However, challenges remain as logging, land conversion for agriculture, and infrastructure development continue to impact forest cover.
Public policy initiatives such as the French Biodiversity Plan and Forest Policy 2021-2027 aim to balance sustainable forest management and economic development. These policies promote forest conservation, incentivize sustainable timber production, and fund restoration projects. However, tightening regulations on logging and land-use conversion to prevent further forest loss can be improved.
Call to Action
To ensure that France meets its climate goals, public and private sector actors must work together to strengthen forest protection policies, invest in forest restoration, and enforce stricter regulations on activities that contribute to deforestation.
Primary Influencer: Jean-Baptiste Audrerie
Director of Forests, French Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Email: jean.baudrerie@agri.gouv.fr
Take Action Message:
“Jean-Baptiste, in light of France’s climate goals, I urge you to take immediate action to implement stronger policies that protect our forests. This includes stricter logging regulations and increased funding for reforestation projects, as indicated in the attached Post 80. These actions will ensure that France’s forests continue to serve as a critical carbon sink in our fight against climate change.”
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard France Country Manager Camille Huret.