As of mid-2025, new provisional data published by France’s Ministère de la Transition Écologique and the High Council on Climate (HCC) indicate that France’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by approximately 2.9% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
As of mid-2025, new provisional data published by France’s Ministère de la Transition Écologique and the High Council on Climate (HCC) indicate that France’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by approximately 2.9% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This continues the moderate downward trend seen in recent years, although still slightly off pace from the target set by the national Stratégie Nationale Bas-Carbone (SNBC) for a 5% annual reduction.
Sectors showing the most progress include energy production, where emissions dropped due to reduced coal and gas use, and residential heating, thanks to warmer weather and increased heat pump installations. However, transport emissions remained relatively stable—down just 0.5%—largely due to increased car usage outside urban areas and slow uptake of biofuels.
France implemented several notable climate-related policies in early 2025:
Climate Resilience Law II (January 2025): Expanded incentives for low-income households to retrofit homes with renewable energy systems, especially in rural areas. Includes grants for solar panels and heat pumps.
Transport Decarbonization Plan (March 2025): New regulations require all new public buses to be electric or hydrogen-powered by 2028. Also introduces subsidies for shared mobility and rural e-bike programs.
Green Hydrogen Strategy 2.0: Strengthened funding for electrolysis capacity, aiming for 10 GW by 2030, with 1.5 GW already operational in mid-2025, cutting industrial sector reliance on fossil gas.
While ambitious, implementation challenges remain, especially in the building renovation sector, which faces labor shortages and bureaucratic delays.
There has been a notable decrease in fossil fuel use in the power sector—coal generation has fallen by 20% compared to early 2024, and natural gas use has declined by 7%. This is due in part to better hydro conditions, increased solar capacity (+1.2 GW), and a full recovery in nuclear output after 2022–2023 maintenance delays.
Renewables now account for approximately 29.5% of total electricity production, up from 27.8% in 2024. Most growth came from solar and wind, with a national push to accelerate onshore wind permitting showing early signs of success.
The transition appears likely to continue, supported by EU funds, improved permitting, and strong public support, although future expansion depends on continued investment and grid modernization.
Report Card Rating: B – Moving Forward
France earns a B for making steady, if uneven, progress. Emissions continue to decline, and meaningful policies have been introduced, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors. However, structural barriers (such as slow renovations and rural transport gaps) still slow down progress, and the country remains slightly off track for its 2030 targets. Stronger implementation and targeted equity measures will be crucial to maintaining momentum in the right direction.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard France Country Manager, Camille Huret.